Super50 Cricket Festival

2018 Super50 Cricket Festival

The Super 50 Cricket festival is here again. Come see 10 teams battle it out in over 43 matches.Two countries (Barbados & Antigua)
will host the matches this year. Matches a the Kensington Oval will commence from 2pm. See below for the match schedule.
Come for the action, Stay for the party.

Regular admission: $10.00
Senior Citizens (with ID): $5.00
Free: Children 12 and under; school children in uniform

(Only the 3Ws Stand will be in operation.)

 

Super50 Cricket Festival

 

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More excitement added to Super50 Cricket Festival

Super50 Festival and JetBlue

ST JOHN’S – Super50 Fans have the chance to catch a six and win a round-trip travel certificate to any of JetBlue’s US destinations when they come to any of the 2018 Super50 Cup day/night games in Antigua or Barbados.

This is part of the Super50 Cricket Festival programme created by Cricket West Indies to bringing more music, colour, food and fun to increase fan entertainment and involvement at this year’s Super50 Cup.

Any fan catching a clean six within the designated JetBlue zone at the day/night games at Coolidge Cricket Ground (Antigua) or the Kensington Oval (Barbados) will automatically win a pair of JetBlue travel certificates to destinations such as New York City, Boston and Fort Lauderdale, just so long as they’re wearing a blue item of clothing.

Commercial director Dominic Warne made the revelation as he announced JetBlue as an associate sponsor for the Super50 Cup.

“The #CatchJetBlue promotion gives a new dimension and plenty of excitement for fans at this year’s Super50 Cup and Cricket Festival. JetBlue has been supporters of the WINDIES for a number of years, and we’re delighted that they have embraced our vision to evolve the Super50 Cup into a fan’s cricket festival. We can’t wait to see hundreds of fans in the JetBlue zone, wearing blue and hopefully catching some sixes to win, and not drop, a pair of JetBlue travel certificates.”

Warne noted, “among the activities we’ve added for our fans are a delightful and delectable arrangement of entertainment activities with a range of Caribbean dishes in our Festival village to include jerk, curry, barbecue and so much more.”

During finals week, the Super50 Cricket Festival entertainment package will include pan (Monday, February 19); spoken word and live bands (Tuesday, February 20) and a DJ extravaganza (Friday, February 23).

Fans can make great savings on Super50 tickets with a range of early bird tickets and even a 23 match Season Pass for Zone B and finals matches in Antigua.

For Zone A matches in Barbados, tickets are available at the office of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and at Kensington Oval.

For Zone B matches in Antigua, tickets are available at the box-office and online with the TickeTing App prior to January 31.

Warne added “the tournament is for everyone and this year we’re thrilled to add so much food, fun and colour with the Super50 Cricket Festival. We want to encourage as many fans as possible to come and enjoy everything we have in store from the #CatchJetBlue promotion to the cricket and the big festival after party.”

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Boost For Super50 Cup

Super50 Cricket Festival

The region’s premier limited-overs competition has undergone an interesting facelift that organisers hope will provide an aesthetic boost and also provide much-needed impetus for the format in the Caribbean.

Engaging fans on and off the field, highlighting the culture and spirit of a region and people, known across the globe for their fare and flair, are at the centre of Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) latest stroke around the Super50 Cricket Festival.

Set to be staged at a combined five venues in Barbados and Antigua – the hosts for the finale, the competition will see the playing of 43 matches over a three-week period; January 30 – February 24, and is expected to not only raise the profile of regional One Day cricket, but also serve as a vital opportunity and preparatory tool for West Indies players ahead of their crucial Cricket World Cup qualifiers a few days later.

Carole Beckford, marketing and communications manager at CWI underlined the value of the new concept both as a tool for reenergising the format regionally, but also as a means of helping to prepare the international team for their important assignment.

New Concept

“The Super50 Cricket Festival is a new concept which we think; in keeping with Caribbean spirit and pride and excitement about food, fun and culture; is that we presented this as part of our cricketing activities going forward,” Beckford told The Gleaner.

“Ideally, we would like to re-engage our fans and in a way that communities, families and so on can actually come out, enjoy the cricket – come for the action and stay for the vibes and get some real entertainment, while they enjoy the cricket,” added Beckford.

The Windies missed out on an automatic spot for the 2019 Cricket World Cup and will seek to secure their spot through a qualifying tournament, which takes place in Zimbabwe from March 4 – 24.

“It’s an important turning point for West Indies Cricket and the One-Day format and I think the Super50 is so well-timed to give them an opportunity to perform on the field,” said Beckford.

The tournament will feature three invited teams – the United States as well as English County teams Kent and Hampshire along with defending champions Barbados, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Guyana, Windward Islands, Combined Colleges and Campuses and Trinidad and Tobago.

Key to the rebranding is the action that will be taking place beyond the boundary ropes with the organisers promising a TV-friendly, family-oriented package that includes food and entertainment.

“The final night will feature a DJ, pan and live performances by two of Antigua’s best – Tian Winter and Claudette Peters, and we think that this year the format will really re-engage fans and we hope that the cricket will be successful on and off the field,” Beckford shared.

All matches will be streamed live on cricketwestindies.org, while ESPN has secured a package that starts on February 7 that will see them airing nine live matches plus highlights after each game.

Source: Ryan Bachoo – CricketWestindies.org

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Gospel Thriller

Donnie McClurkin live at Kensington Oval

In the section of the Oval made available for the concert on Monday evening, there was standing room only as scores of gospel lovers packed the venue to sing and dance for the Lord.

American gospel artiste and minister Donnie McClurkin was the headline act and the vocal powerhouse did not disappoint.

The Grammy Award winner entered the stage around 7:30 p.m. and warmed the crowds up with a Caribbean medley, which was well received.

He then thrilled the audience with songs such as I’ve Got My Mind Made Up, Days Of Elijah, Agnus Dei and Only You Are Holy.

During the evening, many of the patrons used their mobile phones and waved them in the air. The bright white lights that lit up the dark skies were mesmerising.

There was also a sense of warmth and brotherliness in the crowd amidst the worship. Many held hands and raised them as they sang and prayed fervently for the safety, healing and prosperity of the nation.

There were a number of Barbadian acts on the ticket, including the Gospelfest Dancers; winner of last year’s Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest, Trinity Clarke; Alison Norville, and Pastor John Yarde, who performed during the earlier hours of the show.

Members of veteran gospel band Promise held their own as they reminded the audience why they became a household name with songs like Stand Up And Tell Me If You Love My Jesus, Everybody Ought To Know (Who Jesus Is), I Am Under The Rock and Oil In My Lamp.

The Barbados Gospelfest Association, in connection with the St Michael North West Development Foundation, organised the concert.

Source: Tre Greaves – Midweek Nation

 

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We did well, says Brooks

IT WAS a year of opportunity for many players with a generally satisfying outcome. That sums up the view of Barbados Pride cricket captain Shamarh Brooks, who led his side to second place in the just concluded Digicel Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament.

Guyana Jaguars were the champions, but given all the relevant factors, Brooks believes his side did well.

“This season for us was a trial and error season. We gave a lot of people opportunities . . . to see how they stay at this level. In some instances it paid dividends and [in] some others . . . I guess we may need to go back to the drawing board,” Brooks told NATIONSPORT after his side’s comprehensive victory over the Jamaica Scorpions at Kensington Oval on Sunday.

“I don’t think we did too badly. In our situation we had our Test players coming in and out of the team, while Guyana have been having their team year in, year out, so I think we have done well to come second this season.”

No difficulty

Brooks said he had no difficulty motivating his players to play with the required intensity for the final game despite the championship being already decided. The Pride captain said he has always believed in developing a winning habit.

“I think winning should be a habit and whenever we get a chance to win a cricket game we should make the most of it,” Brooks said.“ . . . I think people
in the stands want to see good cricket and that is something I always thrive on, for the Barbados team to get into the habit of winning cricket games. We did well today [Sunday] to win this game handsomely,” said Brooks.

Like Brooks, head coach Emmerson Trotman identified the development of young players as an important aspect of the season.

“Developing the youngsters was an important goal and they have done very well,” Trotman said.

Responding to criticism that the scoring rate by the Barbados batsmen in the recently concluded match was too slow, Trotman agreed, but pointed out that the players will learn over time how to adapt to various situations.

Satisfied
Team manager Wendell Coppin was also satisfied with the team’s performance.

“Based on the composition of the side over the course of the year, I think we did exceedingly well. We had six debutants this year,” Coppin noted.

He was full of praise for the team, which also included inexperienced players like Keon Harding. He praised the overall effort, recognising that they did well to adjust
to the challenge of dealing with captains who had distinct differences in philosophy.

Coppin was full of praise for Kevin Stoute, Kraigg Brathwaite and Brooks, who have shared the leadership roles over the past few seasons.

“We saw Shamarh Brooks growing into the role. Initially [he was] a bit apprehensive, not sure of what he should do in terms of how to manage the young players and fuse them with the senior players. By the end you can see that as a captain he has grown significantly,” said Coppin.

“Today is evidence of that. There were only two people in our dressing room who believed that Barbados could win and Shamarh Brooks was one of them,” said Coppin.

Source: Philip Hackett – DailyNation

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Pride crush Scorpions

Pride crush Scorpions

KEON HARDING captured his maiden five-wicket haul and Shayne Moseley completed his second first-class century as Barbados Pride confirmed their second-place finish with a crushing victory over Jamaica Scorpions in the Digicel Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Competition at Kensington Oval yesterday.

Set an unrealistic task of scoring 350 to win off a minimum 57 overs after 33 overs were lost due to rain, the Scorpions slumped to 133 all out in 25.5 overs.

The slimly-built Harding led the demolition with five for 66, achieving the “five for” when Marquino Mindley was caught at the wicket by stand-in keeper Jonathan Carter to secure victory for the Pride. Carter, keeping in place of the injured Shane Dowrich, pouched five catches in the innings.

It was Harding who set the home side on the victory path when it seemed that the time lost to rain would improve Jamaica’s chances of holding out for a draw. No play was possible in the morning session and after an early lunch was taken at 11:30 a.m., play got started at 12:55 p.m.

Moseley was the first to take centre stage, completing his second century in this his first season with a classy straight-drive for four off Mindley. He reached his century off 173 balls in 183 minutes with a six and 11 fours. From an overnight position of 147 without loss, Barbados declared on 169 without loss with Moseley unbeaten on 100, having started the day on 87 and Kraigg Brathwaite moving from 50 to 58 not out.

Harding strikes early
Harding (5-66) got among the Jamaicans from early, removing both openers Chadwick Walton and John Campbell to leave the visitors 42 for three in the ninth over of the innings. Between their dismissals, Chemar Holder prised out Andre McCarthy, well caught by Brooks low down at second slip.

Paul Palmer got off the mark with a crisp straight drive for four off Harding but he failed to keep down the next delivery and lobbed a catch to substitute fielder Haydn Walsh Jr at point. Harding also induced an edge from an uncertain prod by West Indies middle-order batsman Jermaine Blackwood and Carter, who did an admirable job behind the stumps, took the catch as the Scorpions slipped to 69 for five.

Fabian Allen and Rovman Powell put together the highest partnership of the innings but the 28-run sixth wicket union ended when Allen cut pacer Justin Greaves (2-11) straight to Walsh at point at which stage the players went to tea at 97 for six.

The Scorpions’ 100 was raised in the final session in 107 minutes but shortly after Derval Green steered Greaves to Roston Chase at third slip.

Left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes, son of former Barbados and West Indies all-rounder Vasbert Drakes, took his first wicket at the first-class level in his debut game when he had Nikita Miller caught at the wicket by Carter.

Drakes (2-11) bowled Powell as he attempted a big drive and it was then left to the wiry Harding to complete the win with the wicket of Mindley.

Souce: Philip Hackett –  NationNews

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Moseley leads victory charge

Openers Shayne Moseley and Kraigg Brathwaite hit unbeaten half-centuries to put Barbados Pride firmly in control of their Digicel Professional Cricket League
Regional 4-Day contest against Jamaica Scorpions at Kensington Oval yesterday.

When bad light ended play with four overs still to be bowled, the home side had reached 147 without loss, an overall lead of 327. Moseley, who scored 79 in the first innings, is within sight of a century, not out on 87, while West Indies opener Brathwaite has so far scored an even 50.

Earlier, after the start of play was delayed for 18 minutes by rain, the Scorpions, resuming on 93 for three in reply to the Pride’s 427, folded for 247. They trailed by 180 runs but Barbados opted not to enforce the follow-on.

Chadwick Walton, who started the day on 26, batted fluently to reach his half-century,but his overnight partner Paul Palmer fell cheaply when he edged a delivery from pacer Justin Greaves to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, having scored only two.

Fabian Allen was run out by a brilliant bit of fielding by Keon Harding, whose direct hit at the striker’s end from mid-off punished Allen following an ill-advised
attempt at a single.

Walton and Rovman Powell lifted the visitors from an uncomfortable 115 for five in an enterprising counter-attacking partnership of 68. Powell swept Jomel Warrican (3-34) square and into the Greenidge & Haynes Stand for six. In the same over he launched the left-arm spinner over long-on for another six.

Walton struck left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes over mid-wicket for six. To his credit Pride captain Shamarh Brooks did not concede by resorting to defensive fields and his confidence in his bowlers payed dividends when off-spinner Roston Chase (2-34) had Walton caught by his captain at leg-slip. Walton made 72. He batted for 160 minutes, faced 82 deliveries, striking a six and 13 fours.

Powell also fell before lunch, caught by Greaves at straight mid-wicket off Chase for 43. He batted 66 minutes and faced 47 balls. His innings included two sixes and six fours.

By lunch the Scorpions had reached 200 for seven, with Derval Green on 15 and Nikita Miller yet to score. Warrican picked up the last three wickets on either side of a rain break that caused three overs to be deducted and a revised close of play time of 6 p.m.

By tea Barbados Pride had cruised to 33 without loss and the final session featured an authoritative display led by the aggressive Moseley.

Moseley played a powerful straight drive for four off Miller. He swept the same bowler to backward square for another boundary and swept John Campbell forward of square for six. Brathwaite tickled Campbell to fineleg for a boundary and as the shadows lengthened Moseley stroked off-spinner Campbell between extra-cover and longoff for a sweetly executed boundary.

Moseley’s 50 came off 95 balls in 96 minutes with six fours while Brathwaite reached his just before the close off 91 balls in 142 minutes.He has so far struck five boundaries.

Moseley has been at the crease for 155 minutes and has faced 153 balls. The lefthander has so far hit a six and ten fours.

Source: Philip Hackett – NationNews

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USA to play in 2018 WICB Regional Super50

USA Super50 Team

USA’s senior side has accepted an invitation to play in the WICB Regional Super50 tournament, beginning on January 30 in Barbados and Antigua. They will be the only Associate side in the competition, joining the six West Indies franchise teams as well as Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), plus the English county sides Hampshire and Kent.

Players from USA had participated in the competition as part of a combined ICC Americas side, which also included players from Canada and Bermuda, in 2016 and 2017. Over the course of the two seasons, the ICC Americas unit registered one win – by 72 runs over CCC – in 14 matches including one washout.

However, USA Cricket officials had been lobbying the WICB since last summer to allow USA to play as their own national team. Their argument was that better familiarity and chemistry within their own team would lead to better performances and also allow more of their own players opportunities to develop instead of forcing a mixed squad with other countries, even though on paper the talent might be better by taking the best from USA, Canada and Bermuda, and putting them into one team.

USA Cricket got their wish in part because the dates of this year’s Super50 tournament, January 30-February 24, clash with Canada’s participation in WCL Division Two in Namibia that runs from February 8-15. The Division Two tournament is the final Associate event before the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Canada are competing against UAE, Nepal, Oman, Kenya and Namibia with the top two finishers advancing to round out the 10-team World Cup Qualifier field which already features Full Members Zimbabwe, West Indies, Afghanistan and Ireland, alongside Associates Netherlands, Scotland, Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea.

This will not be USA’s first time competing in the Regional Super50 tournament as a full national side. Previously, they participated in what was then known as the Red Stripe Bowl tournament in 1998 and 2000, notching up a two-wicket win over Barbados in 2000. Their most recent appearance was in 2008, where they failed to score a win while using an understrength side that was missing regular captain Steve Massiah and vice-captain Sushil Nadkarni, among others, due to work commitments.

USA has been drawn in Group B in Antigua for the Regional Super50 along with Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Guyana and Kent. They will play a total of eight games in the double round-robin competition ahead of the semi-finals on February 21 and 22. It will be their first action since a tour of the UAE and Oman in December. USA won their first game in Abu Dhabi against Nepal before losing to Kenya followed by three straight defeats to Oman.

The Regional Super50 is the start of USA’s 2018 fixture list. ESPNcricinfo understands that discussions for the next edition of the Auty Cup series against Canada are underway with a possible three-match series slated for May. USA are also due to appear in the next WCL Division Three tournament, which is tentatively scheduled for the second half of the year in a location to be determined. ICC Americas regional qualifying for the 2020 World Twenty20 in Australia is also anticipated for late 2018 ahead of a global qualifier in 2019.

 

Source: Peter Della Pena –  ESPNcricinfo.com

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Barbados named as venue for English season curtain-raisers

Cricket at Kensington Oval

The now-familiar overseas curtain-raiser to the English season has been shifted from the UAE to Barbados for 2018, where both the

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42 Facts about Sir Garfield Sobers

Sir Garfield Sobers is greatest West Indian cricketer of all time and finest all-rounder in the world. Here are 42 facts about the cricketer:

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