Jace Quashie, the number 1 seed in the Under-12 Division, did not disappoint yesterday as he finished off a successful campaign in the RBC Tobago Junior Tennis Championship at Shaw Park with a title.

He joined the list of winners which also includes Shae Millington, the top-ranked player in the Boys Under-14s and Jaylon Chapman, among others.

Yesterday, despite the heavy downpour that led to long delays, Quashie, a member of the T&T 12 & Under team that progressed out of the recent ITF/COTECC Development Tournament at the National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua, was made to work hard for his title, first taking the opening set 4-0 against Nathen Martin.

But the second-seeded Martin stormed back to upset his rival 4-2 to level the match at one apiece.

However, Quashie came back to seal the third and final set by a similar 4-2 margin to clinch the title.

In the Under-14 final, Millington wasted little time with his opponent Sebastian Sylvester, cruising to a comfortable 6-1 triumph in the first set before confirming himself as champion with a 6-2 win in the second.

In the Under-14 Consolation match that among the beaten semi-finalist, it was Jaylon Chapman who proved to be better on the day, prevailing 4-2, 5-4(4) over Tim Pasea.

WALTER ALIBEY
 

Turkey-based T&T senior women’s team volleyballers, Channon Thompson, Sinead Jack and Krystle Esdelle were all recipients of individual awards. Ten awards were given out at the conclusion of the women’s volleyball tournament of the 2018 Barranquilla XXIII Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Barraanquilla, Colombia, on Wednesday night.

Thompson, the reigning Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) women’s Most Valuable Player was named the CAC Games Best Wing Spiker, while Jack copped the Best Middle Blocker accolade, and Esdelle, the Best Server.

Ironically, the trio were the lone T&T players to score in double-figures in the team’s straight sets win over Venezuela earlier on the night in the fifth to sixth place play-off match. T&T won 3-0 after scores of 26-24, 25-19 and 25-20.

The national women’s team coached by Cuban Francisco “Panchee” Cruz, who had a best-ever finish of fourth in 2010 in Puerto Rico, showed an undying will to beat Venezuela which saw the team committed only 11 unforced errors, while their opponents committed 33.

The T&T team, led by Renele Forde, prevailed with a sizeable 43-27 in kills and also kept Venezuela’s strongest scorers quiet with a huge 15-0 blocking margin as well as 7-3 in aces.

Thompson tallied 17 points, including 15 kills while Esdelle also scored 17 points, including five blocks and four aces, while Jack added 15 points.

Winderlys Medina of Venezuela scored 13 points and Nelamira Valdez ten points.

Overall, T&T finished with 3-3 win-loss record after beating Costa Rica as well, while Venezuela with a 2-4 mark in sixth place.

Commenting on the performance of the T&T team which also swept past Cuba 3-0 on Tuesday night, for a first win ever against that country, in the fifth to eighth place semifinals, Thompson said the team decided to give it their all after failing to reach their main goal of a podium finish.

“Our main goal was to win a medal, but since we couldn’t we came out to win the fifth position and represent our country to the best we could.”

She added, “Venezuela is a very resilient and strong team, they beat Cuba and five sets, and so in the third set they were above and for us it was only a matter of being patient, pulling ourselves together, remaining calm and doing what we can do”.

About their upcoming debut at the FIVB World Championship in Japan in late September, Thompson added: “We are going back home to practice, hopefully, we can have our own home court to train every day and have better facilities, that some things will be put in place to prepare.”

Cruz coach of T&T for the past 12 years, who plans to step down after Japan said “We wanted to improve our team’s game level for the World Championship and I consider we did.

“We came from less to more and physically the team has been recovering well, yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday) we played much better. Darlene Ramdin wasn’t able to play much today (Wednesday) because she has problems with her knee and we changed our game system with another player, therefore some imprecisions.”

Overall he said his team was leaving Colombia with much more experienced and well prepared and he hopes it won’t be lost in Trinidad.

The Dominican Republic won a fifth straight gold medal when they defeated host Colombia 25-19, 25-17, 25-19 in the final, while Puerto Rico battled past Mexico, 26-24, 15-25, 25-19, 27-29, 15-12 for bronze.

Results

Final Standings
1. Dominican Republic
2. Colombia
3. Puerto Rico
4. Mexico
5. T&T
6. Venezuela
7. Cuba
8. Costa Rica.
Women’s individual awards
Most Valuable Player: Prisilla River (Dominican Republic)
Best Libero: Brenda Castillo (Dominican Republic)
Best Digger: Brenda Castillo (Dominican Republic)
Best Opposite: Gaila Gonzalez (Dominican Republic)
Second Best Middle Blocker: Lisvel Eve Mejia (Dominican Republic)
Best Setter: Maria Alejandra Marin (Colombia)
Best Wing Spiker: Amanda Coneo (Colombia)
Best Receiver: Amanda Coneo (Colombia)
Best Wing Spiker: Channon Thompson (T&T)
First Best Middle Blocker: Sinead Jack (T&T)
Best Server: Krystle Esdelle (T&T)
Best Scorer: Andrea Rangel (Mexico)

Costumed dancers lined the entrance to the Naparima Bowl greeting elegantly dressed guests with a lively welcome dance last Saturday evening ( July 21).

It was fitting prelude to a superb 25th Anniversary celebration of dance hosted by the Alpha Theatrical Dance Company.

Dance 25 conceived and directed by Alpha’s artistic director Beverly-Ann Ottley presented 25 well-executed dances displaying the full range of artistic talent among members of the company.

Dances were performed using colourful backdrops, dynamic lighting effects and specially shot videos.

Sound tracks drew the audience into the world of the dancers and tempted the enthusiastic audience to join the agile dancers on stage.

Ottley said Dance 25 was a reflection on years of toil, a few disappointments and a great deal of accomplishments.

Many of her students have won scholarships to prestigious academies in the US.

She noted the dance art form often goes unappreciated. During the preparation and rehearsal leading up to the show Ottley encouraged the dancers to use every space in Trinidad “that could be an area to explore, to develop movement as well as feel.”

All of the dancers from the youngest members to the young adults performed with passion, skill and excellence.

Their performances were enhanced by a well chosen team of skilled co-ordinators, light and sound producers, a music editor, visual specialists and guest artistes.

Guest Artistes included Rizon, Shane Gibson, Jaron Nurse, Christopher Sookoo, Moriba Francis, Susan Gibson and Twin Storm.

Ottley said the dancers were not merely there to entertain, “our aim is to bless the hearts and lives of all who lay eyes on us, just as God blessed this company.”

She said “Our lives are better because we dance.”

“Culture is the bridge between two peoples.” These were some of the welcoming words from Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, as she greeted newly appointed Republic of Korea Ambassador Sung Moon-Up to this country, on Tuesday July 24. The meeting took place at the Ministry’s head office at Nicholas Tower, Independence Square, Port-of- Spain.

Accompanied by senior research officer at the Embassy Kim Hye Young, Ambassador Sung Moon-Up shared the Embassy’s vision for continued cultural collaborations with T&T, noting that he was impressed by our country’s diversity.

Minister Gadsby-Dolly also expressed our people’s keen enthusiasm towards cultural exchange performances, and was hopeful that the Korea-T&T relationship can further venture into the film and community development arenas.

Minister Gadsby-Dolly also assured His Excellency that the ministry shall provide any support towards a better understanding of Korean culture through the arts.

Yesterday, Pan Trinbago Inc announced that it will be convening an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Tuesday, August 21, at the Communication Workers Union Hall, 146 Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, at 5 pm.

A release stated that, in accordance with Pan Trinbago Inc 1986 Constitution Article IV a, members have been given the mandatory 28 days prior notice of the above meeting called by the President.

The reasons for calling the EGM are to apprise members on several matters including Status of the Organisation, Report on the Court matters and Elections 2018 -2021.

In respect to the latter, members are advised that Nomination Day is Saturday, August 25, 2018, with Elections carded for Sunday, September 16, at a venue and time to be announced.

It should be noted that the Secretary has been duly instructed to issue notices to bands for the upcoming meeting and election of officers.

Bands are asked to send two delegates each to this very important meeting.

Pan Trinbago, steelband’s umbrella body, has been embroiled in controversy with its membership over a plethora of issues.

Even before the staging of this year’s National Panorama, B22accusations of misappropriation of funds were hurled towards the member’s of the Pan Trinbago executive. An untenable situation led to a number of burning issues been determined in court, resulting in the executive retaining leadership until an election is held.

Campaigning leading up to the September 16 elections is expected to be a tempestuous one as infuriated pannists continue to lobby for the rejection and complete removal of the incumbent executive and a new one elected to serve until 2021.

Kalabante Circus, a group of young acrobats and performers of Guinea, West Africa lineage, will be coming to Trinidad as guests of the Emancipation Support Committee of T&T (ESCTT). The group will perform at the ESCTT’s Pan African Concert on Tuesday, July 31 at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, at 7.30 pm.

Kalabante Circus is an 11-member troupe featuring drumming, music, dance, and jaw-dropping acrobatics.

The word Kalabante means “child go-getter, ambitious, with exceptional courage” in Susu language. The group’s mission focuses on the belief that anyone can do anything “If you can talk, you can sing, if you can walk, you can dance.” But at a broader perspective, the group promotes the artistic cultures of African and humanitarian projects, while promoting cultural exchanges, between Canada and Guinea.

ESCTT’s Executive Director Zakiya Uzoma Wadada shared the reason for the selection of this dynamic group at the Pan African Festival.

“This group is phenomenal, the kind of moves, tricks and heights that they are able to get the human body to reach are magnificent. Our theme for 2018 is Empowerment to Face Today’s Challenges and we believe that a troupe like Kalabante embodies that theme. They are a true vision of what talent and commitment can bring—world class performances,” she said.

Leader of the group, Yamoussa Bangoura was born and raised in Conakry, Guinea. As a child, he loved watching European circuses on television with his family.

At nine years old, he began reproducing those feats he saw on TV. Acrobatics and circuses then became his life. At age 12, Bangoura was discovered by a French filmmaker, who included him in a movie about Guinean acrobats.

When he was older, Bangoura was hired by Guinea’s first circus company Circus Baobab. He later toured Africa and Europe with a show called The Legend of the Tambourine Monkey. He next joined a Spanish circus and was later spotted by Montreal’s Cirque Eloize. Eventually, he immigrated to Montreal, a city he dubs the “capital of circuses.” In 2007, Bangoura created Kalabanté Productions.

“I pass on and share my values and passion by teaching various artistic disciplines in the circus arts, African dance and traditional music of West Africa areas,” he said.

The Pan African concert has always been designed as an international showcase, a cultural amalgamation in which international groups unite with our local performers. This year, the ESCTT will welcome to the Pan African Concert stage, Freetown Collective and The Ultimate Rejects.

Both bands have been close to the Emancipation Festival over the years and having them on the stage will round off a powerful performance.

More info

Tickets for the Kalabante Circus performance are $200 General Admission and $300 Special reserved seating. Tickets are available at NLCB outlets and at the ESCTT Office at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village, Queens Park Savannah; Suntixx; Crosby’s; and, Cleve’s.

Tickets can also be purchased online at: https://www.suntixx.com/ViewEvent/86

In the fight against crime, T&T has reached a juncture within its delinquency-control trajectory that saw the launch of a National Crime Prevention Programme (NCPP) on July 18.

Primarily aimed at “engaging, educating and empowering,” says national security head, Minister Edmund Dillion, during an early-morning television interview on July 23, the NCPP affords communities free rein to partner with particular stakeholders, meaningfully.

“To effectively eradicate, deter, transform, restore and prevent miscreants in all corners and at all levels, technical, tactical, scientific, upgraded and collaborative approaches are a must. Crime is a business, and anything to counteract has to be a much bigger business, despite how simple it might appear.

“Firstly, we must totally metamorphosise the manner in which we think, view and do things, personally and professionally.

“Secondly, promptly weed-out the psychologically-damaging category of “a nobody.”

“Such a description causes many people to not see their true potential and, it hampers relationships.

“Many individuals are told they are ‘a nobody’. I want you to be somebody. “I want you to get a good job…make plenty money.”

And we wonder why there is the mushrooming and prevalence of delinquency?

Quoting calypsonian, Brother Valentino (Emrold Anthony Phillip) as saying: “Life is a stage, and we are the actors, and everybody has a part to play,” Dillon also mentioned school as an integral component to the success of the NCPP.

“Notwithstanding loving to learn, many children are not spiritually connected to traditional school, but have a natural proclivity for the arts, so the question begs, do they have a part to play on this NCPP stage?

“A robust arts industry of international standard, can be an illuminant for the NCPP. There is need to recognise and strengthen positive talent from very young, and allow it to blossom.

“From infant level, an overwhelming volume is hardened to school, feel tortured and become disconnected, which lead to frustration, disruption and destruction.

“For many, they fall off the grid down the road, and their undetected talent is eventually recognised behind prison walls.

“Indiscipline and a false sense of self-worth are the pivotal causes for social disquiet.

“To be introduced at schools for the first two weeks, First-Year Infants should not be engaged in traditional academic work but instead, be caringly weaned-in—properly inducted and oriented; emboldened in social and moral skills and team building.

“Behaviour, interpersonal skills, and talents should be observed and recorded. If any special-need issues are cited, timely referral for appropriate treatment should be employed.

“There must be a discipline matrix throughout the entire school system to help with the effective management of indiscipline.

“This approach augurs well for the start and continuation of a healthy existence in and out of school—an essential preventative angle of the NCPP.”

This country’s men’s hockey team was beaten in their semifinal in controversial fashion by Mexico, 4-2 in a penalty-strokes shoot-out after a 1-1 deadlock at 23rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games at the Complejo Pibe Valderrama, Barranquilla, Colombia, yesterday.

With the Mexicans ahead 3-2 in the shoot-out, T&T goalkeeper Andrey Rocke, stood on his goalline with his right hand raised in the air to signal he was not ready.

However, the whistle was still blown by the match umpire for the stroke to be taken which converted by Jorge Aguillar to earn his team a shot at the gold medal tomorrow from 5.30 pm against Cuba, a 1-0 winner over Guyana in the other semifinal.

T&T, which protested the fourth penalty-stroke to no avail, will tackle Guyana from 3.15 pm for the bronze.

Earlier in regulation time, Francisco Aguilar fired Mexico ahead as early in the fifth minute from the penalty-spot while Mickell Pierre replied for T&T.

In the shoot-out, Aguilla (F), Luis Villegas and Daniel Castillo were the other players to convert for Mexico while Jorge Gomez missed their fourth attempt.

T&T co-captain Akim Toussaint and Teague Marcano scored their attempts while Pierre and Shaquille Daniel were denied.

Today, T&T women’s hockey players will play neighbours Barbados for the bronze medal from 3.15 pm at Unidad Deportivo Pibe Valderrama in an effort to increase the medal haul of 16 medals, six gold, two silver, and eight bronze.

This after the “Calypso Stickwomen”who ended round-robin pool play with a perfect 3-0 record suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Cuba in their semifinal on Thursday.

The trio of Yuraina Vera Rojas (19th), Yunia Milanes Marcos (29th) and Brizaida Ramos Perez (59th) got a goal each for the Cubans who will face Mexico, a 1-0 winner over Barbados in the first semifinal, for gold on from 5.30 pm.

The meeting between Barbados and T&T women will be the second of this year’s competition after T&T won 2-1 in their round-robin match thanks to a double from Shaniah De Freitas while Mexico blanked Cuba 3-0 in a pool match as well.

Stampfli advances to women’s third round

T&T’s Breana Stampfli advanced to the Third Round of the women’s Lawn Tennis Singles with a tough win at Parque Distrital de Racquetas.

In her first round encounter, 22-year-old Stampfli overcame Bahamian Danielle Thompson, 7-6(4), 6-3 before she faced Kelly Williford of Dominican Republic in a second-round match after press time last night.

Water polo teams remain winlessT&T men and women water polo teams continued to struggle at the Complejo Acautico.

On Thursday night, the national men’s team was crushed 2-29 by Cuba, with Christopher George and Kryztien Sharpe, the scorers for the local team.

Last night, the national men team came up against Venezuela while today they will meet Costa Rica from 6.15 pm, in their final match ahead of the quarterfinals tomorrow.

The women’s team dropped to a 0-2 round-robin record after a 5-22 loss to Mexico after going under to Venezuela, 3-22 on Thursday night.

In the loss against Mexico, Shemiyah Ross scored three goals while Megan Stafford and Summer Gibson got one each.

Today, the women return to action versus Colombia from 4.40 pm, Puerto Rico tomorrow from 4.40 pm and Cuba on Monday from 2 pm to end round-robin play.

Bullen-Jones 18th in 10m Air PistolMarsha Bullen

-Jones hopes of securing a first medal for T&T at the Games ended with an 18th place finish in the women’s 10m Air Pistol.

The 43-year-old Bullen-Jones had scores of 81, 89, 89, 84, 83, and 84 for a total 510 points.

Vball men tackle host Colombia

T&T senior men’s volleyball team, the three-time reigning Caribbean champions will make their CAC Games bow against host Colombia in the last of four matches at the Humbero Perea Coliseo tonight from 10 pm in Pool B.

T&T also faces Puerto Rico and Guatemala in their pool while defending champion Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico are in Pool A.

The winners of the pools will earn direct tickets to the semifinal phase while the teams placed in second and third will compete in the quarterfinals.

The national beach volleyball men and women teams of Daneil Williams and Danyte Stewart and Rheeza Grant and Abby Blackman will also start round-robin play at the Puerta de Oro, Caribbean Events Centre,

Also in action today for T&T will be boxer Michael Alexander against Dominican Republic’s Carlos Figueroa in a lightweight (60kg) quarterfinal while swimming trio Chisara Santana, Gabriel Bynoe and Shaniah David will compete in the Open Water.

T&T’s podium finishes at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in cycling is only the start of much more to come, T&T Cycling Federation president Robert Farrier has said.

“Expect more as the country attempts to qualify as many riders as possible for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan,” Farrier said.

He told Guardian Media Sports yesterday the eight medals won at the Games, comprising two individual gold from sprint ace Nicholas Paul, who was part of the T&T team which included Njisane Phillip and Kwesi Brown that won gold in the Men’s Team Sprint, two bronze from Teniel Campbell and another bronze from Browne, did not come by accident, but rather from proper planning by his team.

Only last year the cycling federation took a decision to send Paul to the International Cycling Union (UCI) Cycling Centre at the headquarters in Switzerland, for the purpose of development for six months. It also initiated Campbell’s stint six months ago at the same facility.

Farrier and his team later ensured the quick return of instrumental cycling coach and director Canadian Erin Hartwell, who he credits for lifting the performances of the cyclists, both men and women.

Farrier believes the main challenge standing in the way of Olympic qualification is money. The successful team returns today to a rousing welcome at the VIP Lounge of the Piarco International Airport but is expected to leave soon for Teluca, Mexico for the Pan American Championship, for which more funding is needed to the tune of $200,000.

Farrier said his team’s progress was carefully crafted and projected based on the riders’ expected performances at specific meets.

“Our team has done an analysis based on the points that can be achieved at each meet, starting at the CAC and going all the way to the Olympic Games and I can tell you that so far we are well on course,” Farrier said.

A good performance at the Pan Am will put the T&T riders in a good position to qualify for the Olympics.

Cyclists across the globe have six more World Cups and a World Championship, which carries the bulk of the qualifying points, for the Olympics.

Paul is one of five extremely quick riders in the T&T team that can have a break-away moment at any time.

Farrier believes the strength of the T&T team of Paul, Kwesi Brown, Keron Bramble, Quincy Alexander and Phillip, is that they push one another to excessive speeds.

“At any time, any one of the riders can explode and break records, yet still be complimented by his team members,” Farrier said.

Yesterday Paul in a short interview said he was still lost for words but was really happy to see his hard-work paying off.

Meanwhile, the local cycling boss believes the performances by the cyclists are proof that T&T has what it takes to develop world class riders, saying this is why there is need for a UCI Centre to be held at the National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva.

The T&T Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) will be hosting the first of five boys’ and girls’ Under-18 Rugby Festival tomorrow from 1 pm to 6 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

The festival is in keeping with the TTRFU’s youth development thrust, by continuing with the enhancement of young boys and girls, as well as the overall growth of the game. All clubs that have U-18 male and female rugby teams are expected to participate.

A release from the secretariat of the TTRFU said the rugby football union is embarking on a series of decentralised activities throughout the country, of which it hopes to have four zones of rugby with 24 clubs in T&T, comprising six in the north, east, south and as many in the Tobago zone.

It noted since February of this year, its Youth Development Officers (YDOs) have been working in their respective zones and this U-18 festival is a means of showing the work done by them to date.

“The Youth Development Programme is geared towards the strengthening of the Rugby Clubs in the country which will further enhance our national teams and allow T&T to be a dominant force within the region. The union is in constant discussion with the T&T Schools Rugby Football Union (TTSRFU) and as the parent body for rugby, intends to reopen discussions with the Ministry of Education to assist with that access to schools in the above-mentioned regions, ensuring the national spread of the game,” the release stated.

TTRFU president Colin Peters said his union also intends to engage the Ministry of Community Development and the Ministry of National Security for access to communities and police youth clubs in the various zones.

Cemeteries won both their matches to take the early lead in the Port-of-Spain Corporation Inter-Department football competition at the Nelson Mandela Park (formerly King George V Park) in St Clair last week.

When competition kicked off on Monday with a double-header, Cemeteries hammered Public Health 5-0 led by a hat-trick from Ahkel Fairbain.

Sekou Long-Kujifi and Keston Williams added the other goals in the win before Williams got the lone goal in a 1-0 triumph over defending champion City Hall on Wednesday.

City Hall had started off its campaign with a 2-1 win over Central Market with Jabari Raphael and an own goal from Richard Isaac to cancel out Stephen Francis strike.

In other matches, Kashief Moses netted both goals for Western Division to blank St James Division, 2-0 while Central/Eastern and Transport & Cleansing drew 0-0.

RESULTS

Thursday
Transport & Cleansing 1 (Kevon Frederick) vs St James Division 0
Central/Eastern 3 (Marvin Harper 2, Jahi Molick) vs Western Division 0

Wednesday
Central Market 1 (Stephen Francis) vs Public Health 1 (Joejordan Bidasie)
Cemeteries 1 (Keston Williams) vs City Hall 0

Tuesday
Western Division 2 (Kashief Moses 2) vs St James Division 0
Central/Eastern 0 vs Transport & Cleansing 0

Monday
Cemeteries 5 (Ahkel Fairbain 3, Sekou Long-Kujifi, Keston Williams) vs Public Health 0
City Hall 2 (Jabari Raphael, Richard Isaac o.g) vs Central Market 1 (Stephen Francis)
UPCOMING MATCHESS

Monday
City Hall vs Transport & Cleansing, 4.30 pm
St James Division vs Central Market, 6 pm

Tuesday
Cemeteries vs Central/Eastern, 4.30 pm
Public Health vs Western Division, 6 pm

GROS ISLET—All systems are on go for the start of next month’sHero Caribbean Premier League  (CPL), which is already being touted as the biggest and best edition.

Word of this has come from the CPL’s chief executive officer Damien O’Donohoe, as he gave the assurance that fixtures, venues and start times for the month-long tournament had been finalised.

“We are really excited about the 2018 edition of the tournament.

We have gone from strength to strength since we first started in 2013 and we know that the sixth Hero CPL is going to be the biggest and best yet. The biggest party in sport is coming and we can’t wait for it all to get started,” O’Donohoe said. This year’s tournament will once again see a mix of the best global and Caribbean cricketing talent with the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, David Warner, Steve Smith and Brendon McCullum amongst those taking part. The tournament will feature 34 matches between the six franchises with each team playing five home matches. The Jamaica Tallawahs will play three of their home games in Lauderhill, Florida meaning the CPL is returning to the USA for the third successive year.

Defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders take on St Lucia Stars in Trinidad on August 8 to bowl off the competition. The tournament will then visit Guyana, St Lucia, Jamaica, St Kitts, Barbados and the USA before returning to Trinidad for the final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on September 16. The Hero CPL has signed a three-year agreement with T&T to host the finals in the country following the successful final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. (CMC)

BASSETERRE—Following their thrilling three-run win over Bangladesh in the second ODI in Guyana on Wednesday, West Indies captain Jason Holder feels his side now has the momentum heading into today’s final ODI in St Kitts.

The Windies lost the opening ODI by 48 runs but rebounded to level the threematch series 1-1, despite Bangladesh being in control for the majority of the contest. However, with that gutsy win, Holder said the mood in the camp was upbeat and the players were looking forward to a series-winning victory.

“We’ve got the momentum at the present time. To win a close game like that it should bring a lot of encouragement into the group. Everybody is obviously upbeat about the last game because obviously, we have a chance to win a series.

“I guess at the start of the innings [on Wednesday night] a few heads dropped and we probably lost a little belief, but credit to the guys the way they fought and stuck it through. It was a total team effort and one which they should be proud of,” Holder said. 

While he credited Wednesday’s victory to teamwork, the Windies skipper heaped praises on Shimron Hetmyer for his masterful knock of 125, the backbone of the team’s eventual total of 271.

He said the team’s slow bowlers were also hugely responsible for slowing down Bangladesh’s innings after they had gotten off to a whirlwind start.

“Credit must go to Shimron Hetmyer.

It was an outstanding innings from the youngster. He showed a lot of maturity, which is something we ask of him at such a young age. I thought his innings was really, really outstanding and it’s good to see a young player like that come through for us,” Holder said.

“I always knew that we would be able to pull back the game because the nature of the pitch dictated that the slow bowlers would come in and have an effect.

Credit to all the slow bowlers who bowled; Bishoo (Davendra) obviously leading the way, Ashley [Nurse] who was very supportive and Chris [Gayle] looked the part as well. “I think the overs by those guys really pulled the game back for us and the seamers were able to come back and finish off the job for us. I also want to say credit to Keemo Paul as well for showing the encouragement and courage he did…I really fed off his energy and I thought that for such a young guy he was able to execute a good penultimate over,” Holder added.

Injured Russell out, Cottrell in Just one game into his highly anticipated return, West Indies’ talented all-rounder Andre Russell has been sidelined by injury.

The 30-year-old has been ruled out of today’s third and final ODI against Bangladesh in St Kitts due to a knee injury.

Russell played in the first ODI which the Windies lost by 48 runs, scoring 13 runs and finishing with the figures of 1-62 from nine overs. It was the first time he had played an ODI for the regional side since November 2015. He did not play in the second ODI which the home side won by three runs.

However, the injury is not said to be a serious one with Russell having already received treatment. He is expected to be available for the three-match T20 series which begins in St Kitts on Tuesday.

In his absence, burly Jamaican fast bowler Sheldon Cotterell has been named as his replacement. (CMC)

Windies off-spinner Anisa Mohammed was brilliant with the ball as she led her team LCB Contractors Central Sports into the final of the 2018 edition of the Courts T20 Extravaganza at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Friday night.

She got them over the hurdle against Trident Sports Phoenix and last night they were down to battle last year’s runners-up Tecu Southern Titans in the championship match. Mohammed, opening the bowling held excellent figures off two for 16 from her four overs as Phoenix struggled to 87 for nine in their 20 overs. Also in fine form on the night was Kamara Ragoobar, who snared two for 14 from her four overs and Samantha Bissoon who claimed two for 27.

When Sharks went in to reply, the experience Felicia Walters was on sound scoring an unbeaten 52 to take her team home. She held the chase together after Sharks lost two early wickets via the run out route.

She found an able ally in Shermaine Campbelle who got an unbeaten 20, as Sharks made 88 for two to win by eight wickets.

Last night they were expected to get a major challenge from Tecu Southern Titans who was the top team in the prelims and went straight into the finals. They would have started as favourites to win the title.

Scores

COURTS T20
At Brian Lara Academy: Trident Sports Phoenix 87/9 (20) (Tremaine Smart 20, Reniece Boyce 19, anias Mohammed 2/16, Kamara Ragoobar 2/14, Samantha Bissoon 2/27) vs Central sharks 88/2 (Felicia Walters 52no, Shermaine Cambelle 20no) Central Sharks won by 2 wkts.