分类： sports

The West Indies cricket team has made a strategic move to strengthen their spin options for the ongoing three-match ODI series against Bangladesh by recalling left-arm orthodox spinner Akeal Hosein. This decision comes after the visitors suffered a 74-run defeat in the series opener, where spinners from both sides dominated the low and slow pitch at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Hosein, along with left-arm fast bowler Ramon Simmonds, was added to the squad on October 20, replacing injured fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Jediah Blades. Blades has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour due to a stress fracture in his lower back, while Joseph is set to consult a specialist in England for shoulder discomfort.

The inclusion of Hosein is expected to provide the West Indies with much-needed firepower in their bowling attack, which struggled in the first ODI. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has reinforced their spin-heavy approach by adding left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed to their squad. The hosts have not lost a home ODI series since 2011, making the challenge even more daunting for the West Indies.

Khary Pierre, who made his ODI return after nearly five years, emphasized the importance of adapting to the spin-friendly conditions. “The wicket is very spinner-friendly, and as batsmen, we have to adapt quickly,” Pierre said in a pre-match press conference. Drawing from his recent experience in India, Pierre highlighted the need for discipline and patience on subcontinental pitches.

Despite the challenging conditions, Pierre stressed that the team’s focus remains on execution rather than the pitch. “We have to play on any wicket provided to us. It’s about adapting and playing the game the right way,” he added. With Hosein and Pierre leading the spin department, the West Indies aim to exploit the surface’s assistance and keep Bangladesh’s batsmen at bay.

Pierre, who described his comeback as a result of persistence and hard work, expressed his pride in representing the West Indies. “Playing for the West Indies is my biggest motivation. I’m here to help my team win games,” he said. The team will look to leverage Hosein’s experience in the powerplay as they seek to keep the series alive ahead of the final ODI on October 23.

Trinidad and Tobago’s swimming sensation Dylan Carter faced a challenging outing at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup, securing a seventh-place finish in the men’s 50-metre butterfly final held in Westmont, Illinois, on October 19. Competing in lane seven, Carter showcased a strong start with the joint third-best reaction time among the eight finalists. However, his final time of 22.48 seconds left him 0.39 seconds behind the podium finishers. The event was dominated by Canada’s Ilya Kharun, who clinched gold with a blistering 21.69 seconds, followed by Switzerland’s Noe Ponti (21.80) and American Finn Brooks (22.09) in second and third places, respectively. Kharun had earlier set the tone by improving his heat time by 0.35 seconds to secure his spot in the final. Carter had advanced to the final with the sixth-best time of 22.62 seconds from heat seven, where he finished second behind Ponti. Earlier in the competition, Carter had shared a joint-fifth position in the men’s 50m backstroke final alongside France’s Lucien Vergnes, both clocking 23.17 seconds. Despite entering the backstroke final with the second-best time, Carter couldn’t replicate his earlier performance to secure a medal. The Swimming World Cup has seen Carter claim two medals so far: a bronze in the 50m backstroke in Carmel, Indiana, on October 11, and another bronze in the 50m freestyle in Westmont on October 17. The competition will conclude with its third and final leg in Toronto, Canada, from October 23-25.

The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) boys’ championship division is reaching its climax, with several teams securing their positions in the highly anticipated ‘Big 5’ playoffs. Speyside Secondary has already clinched the top spot in the Tobago zone, cementing their place in the playoffs after a dominant 10-0 victory over Pentecostal Light and Life on October 17. In the east zone, Hillview College remains unbeaten with 21 points and a staggering +48 goal difference, setting the stage for a decisive clash against second-placed El Dorado East Secondary on October 21. Meanwhile, the central zone sees Presentation College Chaguanas leading with 24 points, though Chaguanas North Secondary has appealed the SSFL’s decision to award Presentation a 3-0 win for their abandoned September 22 match. The south zone is equally competitive, with Palo Seco Secondary holding a slim one-point lead over Pleasantville Secondary, who recently triumphed 3-1 against Siparia West Secondary. In the north, Mucurapo West and East Mucurapo Secondary are locked in a tight battle for the final playoff spot. As the final round of matches approaches, the SSFL Appeals Committee is set to rule on Chaguanas North’s appeal, adding further intrigue to an already thrilling season.

The cricketing world gathered to honor the life and legacy of Bernard Julien, the former West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder, at his funeral on October 18 at St Finbar’s RC Church in Diego Martin. Julien, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 75 after a prolonged health battle, was celebrated as a cricketing icon, mentor, and family man. His son, Bevon Julien, delivered a poignant eulogy, highlighting his father’s discipline, pride in his Carenage roots, and dedication to both cricket and family. Bevon shared anecdotes of his father’s legendary 121-run innings at Lord’s during his third Test match, a feat that remains etched in cricketing history. Julien’s contributions extended beyond the pitch, as he was known for his generosity and mentorship, including guiding young players like Michael Holding. Former teammates, including Deryck Murray, reminisced about Julien’s brilliance in the field, his ability to lift team morale, and his pivotal role in the West Indies’ 1975 Cricket World Cup victory. Dr. Nigel Camacho, president of Queen’s Park Cricket Club, praised Julien’s journey from humble beginnings to international stardom, emphasizing his resilience, discipline, and dedication to nurturing future talent. Though his later years were marked by illness, Julien’s courage and humility remained unwavering. His legacy as a cricketing great and a beloved figure in Trinidad and Tobago continues to inspire generations.

Naparima College solidified their position at the top of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premiership standings with a commanding 2-0 victory over Queen’s Royal College (QRC) on October 18. The match, held at the QRC grounds in Port of Spain, showcased Naparima’s relentless pursuit of victory as they extended their unbeaten streak to nine games. Adasa Richardson opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a well-executed free kick, while an unfortunate own goal by QRC defender Xavier Caruth in the 82nd minute sealed the win for Naparima. Despite QRC’s persistent efforts, including a close attempt by Jahseem Pierre in the 87th minute, Naparima’s defense, led by goalkeeper Mikhail Clement, remained impenetrable. The victory propelled Naparima to 27 points, maintaining their lead in the 16-team league. In other SSFL matches, Fatima College suffered a surprising 3-2 loss to Signal Hill Secondary, while St Benedict’s College climbed to third place after a narrow 2-1 win over San Juan North. The league standings highlight Naparima’s dominance, with Fatima, St Benedict’s, and Presentation College San Fernando trailing behind.