West Indies Jason Holder celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka Dimuth Karunaratne during ICC Cricket World
Cup in England on July 1, 2019. Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith / File
ICC tribute
HOLDER CALLS FOR STIFFER PENALTIES Bucknor
By Azad Ali
West Indies Captain, Jason Holder
announced that players would wear
the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Logo
on their shirts during the three-Test
series against England which started
this week.
Caribbean L 28 ife, July 10-16, 2020
The series, which runs from July
8-28, is being played amid global racial
tensions triggered by the killing of
unarmed black African American,
George Floyd by a white police officer
in Minneapolis, USA last month.
“This is the pivotal moment in history
for sports, for the game of cricket
and for the West Indies cricket team.
We have come to England to retain the
Wisden Trophy but we are very conscious
of happenings around the world
and the fight for justice and equality,”
Holder said.
By Azad Ali
Former Interim West Indies Coach,
Floyd Reifer is back in the regional
team’s coaching set-up and is hoping
he can contribute to a historic series
win over England this month.
Reifer has replaced batting coach
Monty Desai who was unable to travel
to the United Kingdom due to the lockdown
restrictions in his native India.
“It’s always good to be back on the
international circuit and working with
the best cricketers we have in the Caribbean,”
Reifer said.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity
Coach Phil Simmons has given to me
and he had the confidence in me as
well, so it’s just for me to go out there
and do the job I know I can do,” he
said.
Reifer said his role in the coaching
unit would be critical in getting the
best out of the side’s batting group.
West Indies will defend the coveted
Wisden Trophy when the team faces
England in a three-Test series starting
July 8 at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
Continued from Page 27
integral member of one of the best
Test sides ever. We all know of “The
Three Ws” that comprised Frank
Worrell, Clyde Walcott and Weekes,
and the reputation they had during
the 1940s and 50s.
“His attacking batting contributed
in making the West Indies such an
attractive side to watch. To be in that
team itself was such a big honor, but
there were times when Weekes really
stood apart with his distinct style. On
behalf of the ICC, I send condolences
to his family and friends,” the statement
said.
Weekes played 48 Test matches
from 1947 to 1958 aggregating
4,455 runs at an average of 58.1.
Weekes slammed 15 centuries, which
included a record five in consecutive
innings in 1948.
One of those centuries came at
home against England and four on a
tour of India. He almost got a sixth
consecutive century but was unlucky
to be run out for 90 at Chennai.
Weekes officiated as an ICC match
referee in three Tests and four oneday
internationals, all in 1994.
“So we learn from technology and
the umpires who do not enjoy having
technology around I would hope they
would rethink because technology is
good for the game,” he said.
The umpire Decision Review system
was introduced on a trial basis
11 years ago but only after Bucknor’s
retirement.
Under the current regulations, batting
and fielding teams are allowed to
review dubious umpiring decisions at
least twice per innings.
Bucknor said the level of the current
technology allowed officials the
luxury of correcting mistakes.
Holder cited the experience of England’s
Jofra Archer, who has been a target
of racial remarks from crowds both
in home and away Tests and teammate,
Mooen Ali, who is believed was
targeted by Indian fans in a 2014 match
because of his Pakistan background.
Holder, whose team will take on
England in a behind close-closed-doors
three-Test series starting on July 8 in
Southampton, said that he believed
that each international meeting could
be preceded by reminders to both teams
of their responsibilities around race.
He said, “my message is more education
needs to go around it. I’ve not
experienced any racial abuse first
hand, but have heard or seen a few
things around it. It’s something you
can’t stand for.”
Continued from Page 27
Veteran cricket umpire Steve
Bucknor waves to an applauding
crown on his last day umpiring a
match, the fourth One-Day International
cricket match of England
vs West Indies, at Kensington Oval
in Bridgetown, Barbados, Sunday,
March 29, 2009.
Associated Press / Chris Brandis, File
Continued from Page 27
Reifer back as West Indies batting coach
West Indies’ Head Coach Floyd Reifer.
Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs
West Indies cricket team to wear ‘BLM’ logo