Caribbean Sports In Brief – Can the West Indies Rise Up And Beat England?

Damion Jacobs of WICB President’s XI celebrates dismissing Joe Root of England during the tour match between WICB President’s XI and England at Warner Park on February 26, 2017 in Basseterre, St Kitts (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Compiled By NAN Sports Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Mar. 3, 2017: Here are the stories making headlines in sports from the Caribbean and its Diaspora for this week ending Mar. 3, 2017.

Cricket

Can the West Indies rise up and beat England?

That’s the question on the minds of many fans as the Windies cricket squad, beleaguered by losses in recent matches, face England today, March 3rd in the first of a three-match one-day series. The Windies are under pressure to reverse a run of poor form ahead of the next World Cup in 2019 and its new coach, Stuart Law, has said his main aim is to make sure the team qualifies directly for the tourney.

The top eight teams in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings at the end of September 2017 automatically advance to the event in England.

The West Indies team is currently struggling in ninth spot – three points behind Pakistan and a further two adrift of Bangladesh.

The Windies will play England and Pakistan this March and April in the Caribbean. The full schedule is as follows:

West Indies vs England – Fri, Mar 3 – 8:30 AM – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

West Indies vs England –        Sun, Mar 5 – 8:30 AM – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua.

West Indies vs England – Thu, Mar 9 – 8:30 AM – Kensington Oval Barbados.

West Indies vs Pakistan – Fri, Mar 31 – 2:00 PM – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad.

West Indies vs Pakistan – Sun, Apr 2 – 2:00 PM  – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad.

West Indies vs Pakistan – Fri, Apr 7 – 9:30 AM – Providence Stadium, Guyana.

West Indies vs Pakistan – Sun, Apr 9 – 9:30 AM – Providence Stadium, Guyana.

West Indies vs Pakistan – Tue, Apr 11 9:30 AM – Providence Stadium, Guyana.

Dwayne Smith

Meanwhile, former West Indies cricket team batsman Dwayne Smith, who is currently playing for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League, has announced his retirement from all international cricket, according to reports.

Dwayne Smith, 33, has not played a One-Day International (ODI) or T20 International for the West Indies in two years. His last West Indies appearance came at the 2015 World Cup. He made 1,560 runs in 105 ODIs and 582 runs in 33 T20s.

Brazil, Jamaica Clash

A Brazilian all-star contingent featuring the likes of Rivaldo and Dunga, and a Jamaican Reggae Boyz squad that boasts World Cup 1998, history-makers Ricardo Gardner, Ian Goodison and Walter Boyd will clash today, Mar. 3, 2017 in Kingston, Jamaica. The ‘Share the Love’ football friendly is set for the National Stadium and is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kick-off.

CONCACAF Sets Up New Caribbean Office

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has a new Caribbean office. CONCACAF opened a new office at the Courtleigh Corporate Centre in Kingston, Jamaica this week. CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani said the new Caribbean office “represents a major step towards our ONE CONCACAF Vision.”

“It reaffirms our focus on serving all 41 Member Associations, while investing in football,” he said, while adding that the “new location strengthens the Confederation’s ability to operate efficiently and in a fully integrated way, in order to continue driving long-term growth across the region.”

CONCACAF is expected to triple its investment in Caribbean competitions this year, a release from the football group stated.

Countdown Begins To IAAF Relays

The countdown has begun to the IAAF World Relays, set for the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas from April 22-23rd.

The event will feature athletes from 40 countries compete across the two days to win the coveted Golden Baton and guaranteed qualification for the 4x100m and 4x400m relays at this August’s IAAF World Championships London 2017.

Tickets are on sale at https://nsa-bahamas.com/