West Indies’ Andre Fletcher plays a shot during their ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match against Sri Lanka
in Bangalore, India, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Associated Press/Aijaz Rahi, fi le
By Nelson A. King
A phone call from West Indies batting
legend Brian Lara was the catalyst
for Andre Fletcher to burst out of his
Big Bash League (BBL) form slump,
according to ESPNcricinfo.
But the online cricket outlet said
Fletch revealed he may not be available
for the finals if the Melbourne Stars
progress that far as they also prepare
for life with Haris Rauf.
Rauf was named in the Pakistan Test
squad for a two-Test of South Africa
starting on Jan. 26 and left Melbourne
on Jan.15 after bowling just one over
in the Stars’ thumping win over the
Adelaide Strikers at the Melbourne
Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia,
ESPNcricinfo said.
Fletcher also said he may not see the
tournament out. He has signed to play
in the Abu Dhabi T10 League for the
Bangla Tigers, with the 10-day tournament
starting on Jan. 28, two days
after the Stars’ last home and away
game and a day prior to the BBL eliminator,
according to ESPNcricinfo.
Floyd Reifer appointed Under-19 head coach
Caribbean L 30 ife, JANUARY 22-28, 2021
It said the BBL finals run from Jan.
28 to Feb. 6.
ESPNcricinfo said the Stars have
already released Ben Dunk from his
contract, and he is listed to play for
the Qalandars in the T10 competition,
which is also his PSL franchise.
Fletcher said he would like to stay in
Melbourne if it’s possible after receiving
tremendous support from the Stars
during his lean run of form, according
to ESPNcricinfo.
“I signed a T10 deal a few weeks
before the BBL, so I’ll have a think
about it, speak to my agent and hear
what he says,” Fletcher said. “I would
love to stay to be honest.”
Fletcher was Player of the Match for
his stunning 89 not out, having not
passed 18 in his first nine BBL innings
this season, and having not passed 50
in his last 30 T20 innings dating back
to December 2019, ESPNcricinfo said.
It said Fletcher received a phone call
“out of the blue from Lara,” who is Australia
commentating on the BBL for
Australian broadcaster Channel Seven,
to give him some advice.
“He called me, and I was surprised,
to be honest,” Fletcher said after his
match-winning innings. “He was telling
me that, looking from the outside,
I’ve been striking the ball cleanly and
he just told me to give myself that
opportunity. Giving myself that chance
and playing each ball on its merits.
“I’m an aggressive player, so there’s
no need to go out there and look to
over power the ball,” he added. “To be
honest, that’s what I did today.
“I’ve met him before. He’s a great
guy. I told him over the phone, after
what he told me I was like, ‘So Brian,
now I understand the reason you were
so great’,” Fletcher continued. “”He
told me, feel free to call him any time
I wish to, he’s there, he’s open for anything
and willing to give me advice.”
Captain Glenn Maxwell gave Fletcher
a warm and long embrace after he
came off the ground, according to
ESPNcricinfo.
“You could see what it meant to him
after the game,” Maxwell said.
By Azad Ali
Former West Indies Captain, Floyd
Reifer has been appointed head coach
of the Under-19, with the responsibility
of preparing the youth side for
the ICC Under-19 World Cup, scheduled
for next year in the Caribbean,
Reifer, 48, who oversaw West
Indies’ ill-fated campaign at the 2019
World Cup, replaces Graeme West
who had led the Under-19s in recent
years, including their successful title
quest five years ago in Bangladesh.
Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams
said Reifer’s track record of developing
young cricketers made him an
asset to the new position.
He said West, who coached the
Under-19 team in the last three campaigns
including winning the Tournament
in 2016, will continue to
be involved in his current role as
high performance manager. He will
provide valuable support to Reifer
in planning and executing the program.
Ambrose
Continued from Page 29
bowlers to ensure they are prepared for
the rigors of international cricket.
He will also, from time to time, be
expected to assist the senior squad and
lead A tours.
Ambrose has previously had spells
as bowling coach of West Indies, was
in the role when the team won the
World Twenty20 in 2016, as well as in
the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
He also coached the Guyana Amazon
Warriors for three years. Ambrose also
spent three years as assistant coach of
the Combined Campuses and Colleges
in the Caribbean regional cricket. He
is qualified as a Level 3 standard.
Barbados Pride
West Indies’ Jason Holder during
a press conference at The Ageas
Bowl, Southampton, Britain, June
13, 2019. Action Images via Reuters / Paul
Childs
Continued from Page 29
ning upset at the hands of eventual
champions West Indies Emerging
Players.
Holder missed that tournament
due to international commitments.
He was at the helm the last time
Pride won the Super50 Cup in 2017,
hitting a half century in the final
when his team defeated Jamaica
Scorpions at Coolidge Cricket Ground
in Antigua.
COVID strikes
Continued from Page 29
Walsh has been ruled out of the
three ODI series and will remain
isolated from the West Indies squad
and is now under the care and supervision
of the team physician, Dr.
Praimanand Singh.
Fast bowler Romario Shepherd
returned a positive test shortly after
being selected on the ODI squad for
the Bangladesh tour. He was still in
his home country of Guyana when he
tested positive.
Lara’s call helped spark Fletcher to life
West Indies’ Under-19 Coach, Floyd
Reifer. Action Images via Reuters / Paul
Childs