Farewell Courtney
Upon becoming the first man ever to take 300 test wickets, Fred Trueman said that, whoever took more wickets than him would be one tired man. Five hundred and nineteen wickets later Courtney Walsh still doesn�t look tired enough to be a spectator. Rather, he has been compared to a vintage wine that has improved with age, slowly replacing his youthful physical attributes with a guile, a wisdom and a determination of a war general. However, a war general he is not but a true gentleman of the sport, one of the �old breed� that respects the game and plays for the love.
The facial expressions, the long, dangling amble to the crease, the unorthodox delivery stride that fell away time after time, his batting prowess and those countless match-winning efforts that seemed as nonchalant as a Sunday drive will be sorely missed. They all are, in truth, rare treasures of the game that are as individualistic as the man himself.
As Courtney Andrew Walsh walked from the Sabina pitch that final afternoon of April 23rd 2001 one got the feeling that a relic, a cornerstone of the modern game and more importantly one of the greatest players and personalities ever to grace a cricket field was departing. Hopefully he will not be entirely lost to the West Indian game.
The final years must have been excruciating for one who was so used to bowling out sides and seeing the likes of Richards, Haynes, Greenidge, Richardson and Lara knock off the runs. However, victories became rare, the batsmen terribly under performed, disharmony between players and the Board was highlighted by a standoff in London before the tour to South Africa, and a string of one-sided affairs that saw the West Indies descend into the doldrums of World Cricket. After tasting the sweet nectar of world dominance the bitter reality of such a low ebb must have been hard to stomach. Yet, the great man soldiered on.
Then on to Sabina Park, home ground to Mr. Walsh, the site where he broke Kapil Dev�s all-time wicket record just twelve months before by having Henry Olonga caught at forward short leg by Wavell Hinds. The site where a refreshing victory was richly achieved for an old work horse and as Courtney Walsh walked away that final afternoon it suddenly became a reality; the greatest bowler of all time had retired.
As Seen In The Anguillian April, 2001
posted by Zack Kenworthy Wednesday, April 25, 2001
Anguilla Squad AnnouncedThe Anguilla Cricket Development Committee (ACDC) announced this past Wednesday a 24-man squad that is to begin training immediately for the forthcoming Leeward Islands cricket tournament. The tournament begins on the 24th of May and the ACDC has announced that there are forthcoming trial matches to select the final side to enter the tournament. Captain, vice-captain, manager and coach will be named at a later date.
Full Squad Reads:- Terrence Adams, Marlon Martin, Pauliver Rogers, Rudolph Proctor, Girdon Connor, Leon Lake, Zachary Kenworthy, Richard Stevens, Richard Burton, Eversley Browne, Clarence Fleming-Rogers, Lyndel Richardson, Dillon Skellekie, Samek Connor, Mitchel Harrigan, Carwin Carty, Terrence Rogers, Mike Hodge, Troy Gumbs, Trevor Fabian, Maurice Burleigh, Travis Carter, Lynval Richardson and Junior Johnson.
As Seen In The Anguillian April, 2001
posted by Zack Kenworthy Wednesday, April 25, 2001
Salvaged PrideAfter losing the series in Antigua with one match left in the series still to play the final test was all about pride and moving on, once again, for the West Indies. However, this time, the results were positive and for Walsh�s final hurrah a victory was sealed. Lara looked superb once again in the first innings with a flashy 81 that deserved being a century. It looked as if the home side had not scored enough runs once again. However, Dillon and Walsh were immaculate in a bowling effort that was described as the best in years. How quickly we forget Walsh and Ambrose in England last year because of a few losses.
The batting was far more disciplined in the second innings and Jacobs bludgeoned the bowling with a fine 85. South Africa were then skittled out for 255 chasing a virtually impossible 386. A richly deserved victory at last.
Scores:- West Indies 225 all out (Lara 81, Ramnarine 35 not out, Gayle 25, Hooper 25, Dillon 24, Pollock 5 for 28, Donald 4 for 54) and 301 all out (Jacobs 85, Samuels 59, Gayle 32, Garrick 27, Pollock 4 for 66) South Africa 141 all out (McKenzie 45, Pollock 24, Dillon 4 for 32, Walsh 3 for 31) and 255 all out (McKenzie 55, Gibbs 51, Kallis 51, Kluesner 31 not out, Dillon 3 for 59, Walsh 3 for 62, Ramnarine 3 for 61).
As Seen In The Anguillian April 2001
posted by Zack Kenworthy Wednesday, April 25, 2001
Anguillians Depart For The UKThree of Anguilla�s most promising and outstanding cricketers, Alex Adams, Omari Banks and Chaka Hodge, left for the United Kingdom this past Wednesday. The twenty-five year old Adams, who is the captain of the Anguilla National side and opens the batting for the Leeward Islands in the Busta Cup and The Red Stripe Bowl, is on contract with Bignall End Cricket Club in the North Staffordshire and South Chesire League. The veteran of some eighteen first class matches is the club�s professional over the next 6 months. He has also been invited by Tim Tremlett of Hampshire C.C.C. to train and play with the Hampshire second XI throughout the season.
Banks, a tall, elegant middle order batsman and an offspinner is just eighteen years old and is to play with the Hinkley Cricket Club in the Leicestershire League. He is also to play second XI cricket for Leicestershire C.C.C. as he did last year and train with the first XI. Banks made a huge impact this year on the local scene when he was selected, alongside Adams, to be a part of the Leeward Islands in the Busta Cup. He took 10 for 148 in only his second first class match against the champions, Jamaica. In July, Banks is due to return to the Caribbean where he will join the West Indies under 19 team that will tour the UK in July and August. Hodge, the Anguilla vice-captain, is also just eighteen years of age and will also be playing in the Leicestershire League with Lutterworth C.C. and will remain in the UK until the end of September, when the season ultimately concludes. Hodge is a hard-hitting middle order batsman and a very tight off-spinner and has also been invited to play second XI cricket with Leicestershire C.C.C. Both Banks and Hodge are playing in England on cricketing scholarships which are sponsored by both the Government of Anguilla and Leicestershire C.C.C. Their visits are part of an on-going connection between Anguilla and Leicestershire C.C.C. which began twelve months ago when the county side visited Anguilla as part of their pre-season training. Jack Birkenshaw, the coach of Leicestershire and one of the most respected minds in the English game, has since returned for two weeks in January of 2001 when he coached the island�s side and youngsters.
Cardigan Connor, the former Hampshire C.C.C. fast bowler and Anguillian by birth, has been instrumental in the development of all three cricketers and in allowing this opportunity to become a reality. He is very close to both Birkenshaw and Tremlett and feels that the discipline to be learnt in England will do all three cricketers a world of good.
As Seen In The Anguillian April, 2001
posted by Zack Kenworthy Sunday, April 22, 2001
Garrick SizzlesLeon Garrick amassed a stunning 174 not out against the touring South African party this past weekend as a two day fixture between Jamaica and the tourists was drawn ahead of the fifth and final test. Batting first, the South Africans could only amass 199 for 9 on the first day with the out of form Lance Kluesner scoring 41 and Jacques Kallis 30. Pace bowler Sanson was the pick of the bowlers for Jamaica with 3 for 28 and Marlon Samuels took 2 for 5.
In reply, the Jamaica innings was the Leon Garrick show as he smashed 174 not out to cap a stunning domestic season for the young 24 year old who is on the verge of playing in West Indian colours. Chris Gayle (8) and Wavel Hinds (2) disappointingly departed early before Marlon Samuels (84) joined Garrick and put on 161 for the third wicket. Nehemiah Perry was also 66 not out at the close on the second and final day.
As Seen In The Anguillian April, 2001
posted by Zack Kenworthy Sunday, April 22, 2001
Articles From The Anguillian Can Also Be Found On The Largest Cricket Website In The World: Click Here.
