Tomorrow marks the 75th Anniversary of West Indies entree into Test Cricket on June 23, 1928 at Lord's in England. It had taken some 28 years for the region to be granted Test status. That ground breaking team included players such as Sir Learie Constantine, George Challenor, George Francis and Herman Griffith.
The milestone is being commemorated amidst much local fuss over the first Test Match to ever be played in Saint Lucia. According to Wes Hall, President of the WICB, the Board will celebrate the anniversary of the first West Indies Test match with a special tribute to the 1928 team; a series of presentations to be made to the descendants of the '28 team who have been invited to Saint Lucia and Jamaica (at Sabina Park during the Second Cable & Wireless Test Match between West Indies and Sri Lanka); the lauching of a commemorative book entitled A Nation Imagined, by Professor Hilary Beckles; and a touring photographic exhibition.
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PUTTING BAT TO BALL
First of all, who in their right mind would schedule a test match in Saint Lucia during hurricane season?
Highlights of today's play included the running out of a day-dreaming Hines at 113 off 143 deliveries in 216 minutes, because of a mix-up with Lara. The lefty had managed to amass eight fours to add to his four sixes from the day before.
This was followed by the outright theft of West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan's wicket shortly after lunch. Sarwan was somehow "caught" off a re-bound off of Muttiah Muralitharan's off-spin as the Windies slipped to 272 for four in reply to Sri Lanka's 354. Reports indicate that TV replays proved Umpire Billy Bowden's decision to be wrong. Now mind you, I can't vouch for this as the WICB still does not see it fit for us local yokels to have live coverage of this historic event.
Apparently Sarwan had pulled hard off of Kumar Sangakkara's foot at short leg. The ball then ballooned over to Marvan Attapatu at midwicket. "The replays clearly showed that the ball bounced before making impact with Sangakkara's foot as he shied away from the attacking stroke. Match referee Wasim Raja of Pakistan said during the rain break that the umpires were not permitted to consult with their television umpire, Billy Doctrove, to make the decision." Play was subsequently stopped due to heavy rain (well, duh, it's June in the Eastern Caribbean) just 40 minutes or so after lunch. Read More...
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Just so you know, I am aware that there are other world class cricket matches being played not involving the Windies.
Here's the summary of today's play:
Pakistan 229/7 (50 ov)
England 231/6 (48.3 ov)
England won by 4 wickets
Read More...
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OK KIDDIES, CLOSE YER EYES
Pornodegree? "Japan's fans of adult video will be pleased to learn they now have a school of their very own, according to Shukan Tokuho." Read More...but only if you're over 18.
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MOO?
Kiwi Farmers to be taxed for gassy lifestock. "Livestock accounts for about half of New Zealand's total greenhouse gas emissions." Read More...
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OY VÉ
I'm not making this up. An American chain of gyms (it would be the US) is now offering yoga classes for dogs. Read More...
posted by dorna! @ 4:55 pm
