Frank Worrell’s central role in the transformation of West Indian cricket

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Updated 11 July 2024
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Frank Worrell’s central role in the transformation of West Indian cricket

  • Two recent biographies, ‘Son of Grace’ by Vaneisa Baksh and ‘Worrell’ by Simon Lister, have sought to establish the essence of the man on and off the cricket field

On July 10, England’s men’s Test team opened play against the West Indies at Lords in the first of a three-match series.

There is a perception that England is the stronger side, largely because so many senior West Indian players are not in the squad. A number have chosen to play lucrative franchise cricket in North America in July and August.

In terms of Test cricket, there is a callowness about the West Indian squad. Only four have played more than 20 Tests, whilst the squad’s aggregate number of Tests is 237, only 60 more than that notched up by England’s James Anderson, for whom the Lords Test is scheduled to be his last.

The aggregate number of Tests played by England’s squad is 606, so it is well ahead on experience. In addition to Anderson, Joe Root has played 140 Tests and Ben Stokes 102, whilst four others exceed 20.

This imbalance is a far cry from the mid to late 1970s to the early 1990s when the West Indies dominated world cricket. The West Indian team won the inaugural ODI World Cup in 1975 and retained the title in 1979, before relinquishing it to India in 1983.

Since then, the West Indies have failed to reach an ODI final. During the 1980s the West Indies were imperious in Test cricket, setting a then record of 11 consecutive victories in 1984 and twice drubbing England 5-0. The success was based on a fearsome four-man fast bowling attack and four of the best batters in the world.

Seeds for this era of dominance had been laid during the 1960s, something that the captain of the 1980s dominant team, Clive Lloyd, has always been quick to point out and acknowledge. Two men, the previous captains, stand out, Sir Garfield (Gary) Sobers and Sir Frank Worrell.

Sobers, for me, is the finest all-round cricketer of all time, certainly the finest I ever had the privilege of watching. Worrell, by all accounts, was a fine player, batting in a languid, yet classical style. However, it was his role in the transformation of West Indian cricket that is his legacy.

In his autobiography, “Cricket Punch,” published in 1959, before he became captain of the West Indies, Worrell revealed little of himself. A biography in 1963 by a Guyanese broadcaster, Ernest Eytle, with commentary by Worrell, was a cricket book.

A slim biography appeared in 1969 by Undine Guiseppe, followed by one by English writer Ivo Tennant in 1987 that revealed much more about Worrell, the person. After a pictorial biography was published in 1992 by Torrey Pilgrim, interest in Worrell seemed to fade.

West Indian cricket also hit difficult times. Although high-class international cricketers emerged to replace those who retired, there was not enough strength in depth nor funding to counter the alternative attractions of basketball, athletics and football for young athletes.

Therefore, it is a surprise — a pleasant one — to discover that two new biographies of Worrell have been published recently. The first of these is “Son of Grace” by Vaneisa Baksh in 2023, a book in preparation for at least a decade.

The second is “Worrell” by Simon Lister, launched on June 6, 2024. Both have sought to establish the essence of the man within and beyond the cricket field. Both had to engage in prolonged research because many of the sources of information about their subject had been destroyed or lost.

Worrell died of leukemia in 1967, aged only 42. His wife, Velda, died in 1991, aged 69, whilst their daughter Lana, died shortly afterwards, aged 42. Two close, key sources of insights were not available.

Fortunately, Everton Weekes, one of the famous three “Ws” — Worrell, Weekes and (Clyde) Walcott — lived until 2020, aged 95, willingly providing insights into Worrell’s life. Other former playing colleagues also did, along with children of those with whom Worrell grew up and played alongside.

Etched in many, if not most of the minds of cricket aficionados of a certain age, is the iconic photograph which captures the moment when the first Test of the 1960-1961 series between Australia and the West Indies ends in a tie off the very last ball of the match.

Worrell, as captain, is credited with keeping his players relaxed but alert by virtue of his serene leadership. In 1963, he led the team to a 3-1 series victory over England, before retiring from cricket.

After that, he became warden of Irvine Hall at the Jamaican campus of the University of the West Indies and was appointed to the Jamaican senate in 1962. This exemplifies his sense of public duty, although he did say that he was not suited to politics.

It should be noted that these positions were in Jamaica, not his native island of Barbados, which he had left in 1947. It seems that he preferred the bigger island, which offered more job opportunities and represented an escape from the cloying color bar in Barbados that, according to the British colonial secretary in 1942, “divides the races more effectively than a mountain chain.”

Worrell was a federalist and nowhere was this more evident than in his captaincy. The West Indies is not one cricketing nation, but a collection of players from 13 independent island countries of different histories, cultures, religions and social mores.

Prior to Worrell becoming captain in 1960, the previous six captains had all been white, their positions reflecting ongoing systemic racial bias. But by 1960, a wind of change was blowing. Worrell’s appointment shut the door forever on the process by which a West Indian captain would be chosen based on race and color.

Worrell showed that it was possible to be black and successful. He knew that his players were all individually good and sought, successfully, to weld them into a cohesive force, with clarity of purpose. No longer were they to be treated as subordinates.

His passion for social equality extended beyond cricket. We will never know what he may have achieved in broader society had he lived longer. What is apparent is that the dominating Test teams for which he sowed the seeds no longer exist.

In their place are T20 players who have earned riches far beyond those which Worrell could ever have envisaged when advocating for social justice.


India win toss and bowl first against England in first T20 as fit-again Shami left out

Updated 22 January 2025
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India win toss and bowl first against England in first T20 as fit-again Shami left out

  • India is the reigning world champion at the T20 format

KOLKATA: India won the toss and chose to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England’s cricketers in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Mohammed Shami missed out for India despite the fast bowler being available after more than a year on the sidelines.
India is the reigning world champion at the T20 format.
It is Brendon McCullum’s first white-ball match since becoming England’s all-format coach.
Teams:
India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Azar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.
England: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.


Romario Shepherd and Nicholas Pooran lead MI Emirates to vital win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Updated 22 January 2025
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Romario Shepherd and Nicholas Pooran lead MI Emirates to vital win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

  • Captain Pooran top scorer as his team retains 2nd place in the DP World ILT20 table

ABU DHABI: The MI Emirates produced a clinical display with both bat and ball to hand the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders a 28-run defeat at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.

The MI Emirates had the likes of Romario Shepherd and team captain Nicholas Pooran to thank as they played a crucial part in helping their side get to within two points of the table toppers. Their bowlers were in fine form, with four of them picking a wicket each while Alzarri Joseph and Shepherd bagged two each to derail the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ chase.

Put into bat first, the MI Emirates started off well, with openers Kusal Perera and Muhammad Waseem. After the duo put on a 42-run stand, Sri Lankan Perera was the first to depart for 23, just before the end of the powerplay. In walked Tom Banton who, along with Waseem, ensured the MI Emirates kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Halfway into the innings Banton was dismissed for nine and, soon after, Waseem followed on 38. Skipper Pooran was joined by Kieron Pollard, but the veteran right-hander found it tough to get going and was eventually knocked over by Ali Khan for five.

At this point, the score read 102/4, with just over six overs to go.

Dan Mousley was the next to fall for six, after which Shepherd joined his captain for the final phase of the innings. Pooran, striking cleanly, was closing in on his half-century before Jason Holder had his number after a well-made 49.

That put the focus on Shepherd in the final few overs. The big-hitting right-hander then went through the gears and smashed three maximums along with four boundaries, to finish with an unbeaten 38 from 13 deliveries. The MI Emirates, who had slowed down for a few overs in the middle, eventually posted 186/6.

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders got off to a quick start, as openers Kyle Mayers and Andries Gous took the attack to the MI Emirates bowlers. Mayers, who smashed three sixes, scored 22 off 14 deliveries, before Dan Mousley ran him out with a fine a piece of fielding. That ended a 39-run stand in the fourth over, after which the MI Emirates took control.

Akeal Hosein dismissed Joe Clarke for three, after which Shepherd accounted for Michael-Kyle Pepper for five and Alishan Sharafu for four. At the end of an action-packed powerplay, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders were 56/4.

Waqar Salamkheil cleaned up Laurie Evans for seven, and Zahoor Khan then had Gous caught out in the deep for 34, which put further pressure on the Knight Riders. That brought Sunil Narine and Andre Russell to the middle, and the big-hitting batters put on a half-century stand, raising hopes of a comeback.

However, in the 18th over, Narine was caught at cover for 13, and Fazalhaq Farooqi then cleaned up David Willey in the 19th. Russell, who remained unbeaten on 37 from 23 deliveries, could not take his side over the line as the MI Emirates came away with a comfortable win.

Player of the match Shepherd said: “It feels good, and we knew how important this game was. I was relaxed because Nicholas Pooran was there and I was just trying to get to the last over and see what I could get. Whenever you do well in one department it gives you confidence.”

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Narine said, “We were going good till the 18th over, but we had to have a fielder in for the slow over-rate and Shepherd is a powerful player. And we lost a cluster of wickets, but still played good cricket, and we started off good. We need to get on top of the key moments.”

Brief Scores

MI Emirates beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 28 runs

MI Emirates 186/6 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 49, Romario Shepherd 38 not out, Muhammad Waseem 38, Jason Holder 2 for 38, Ali Khan 2 for 58)

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 158/9 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 37 not out, Andries Gous 34, Romario Shepherd 2/14, Alzarri Joseph 2/33, Waqar Salamkheil 1/13)

Player of the Match: Romario Shepherd  

 


Buttler rejects calls for England to boycott Afghanistan match

Updated 22 January 2025
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Buttler rejects calls for England to boycott Afghanistan match

  • Captain Jos Buttler says England’s match against Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy should go ahead after calls for a boycott over the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights

KOLKATA: Captain Jos Buttler says England’s match against Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy should go ahead after calls for a boycott over the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights.
A group of more than 160 British politicians have written to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) calling for England not to play the match in Lahore on February 26.
Since returning to power in 2021 the Taliban have effectively banned the participation of women in both sport and broader public life.
That puts the Afghanistan Cricket Board at odds with the rules of governing body the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Buttler said sports and politics should be kept separate.
“Political situations like this, as a player you’re trying to be as informed as you can be,” he told reporters ahead of the first T20 against India in Kolkata on Wednesday.
“The experts know a lot more about it, so I’ve been trying to stay in dialogue with Rob Key (managing director of ECB) and the guys above to see how they see it.
“I don’t think a boycott is the way to go about it,” he added.
“Certainly as a player, you don’t want political situations to affect sport. We hope to go to the Champions Trophy and play that game and have a really good tournament.”
The ECB have resisted calls for a boycott, with chief executive Richard Gould saying instead he would “actively advocate” for collective action by the ICC instead.
The ICC have allowed the Afghanistan men’s team to keep competing in global competitions.
England are clubbed with Afghanistan, Australia and South Africa in the group phase of the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.


Dubai Capitals snap Desert Vipers’ DP World ILT20 winning streak with 6-wicket triumph

Updated 21 January 2025
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Dubai Capitals snap Desert Vipers’ DP World ILT20 winning streak with 6-wicket triumph

  • Capitals’ Gulbadin Naib led the charge with 78, while Dushmantha Chameera and Zahir Khan claimed 3 wickets each

DUBAI: The Desert Vipers’ undefeated streak finally ended on Monday as the Dubai Capitals delivered a stunning six-wicket victory at the Dubai International Stadium.

A dominant bowling performance, spearheaded by Dushmantha Chameera and Zahir Khan’s three-wicket hauls, restricted the Vipers to 139. Gulbadin Naib then led the chase with a fiery 78-run innings off 51 balls, ensuring the Capitals broke a three-match losing streak.

The Desert Vipers still lead the DP World ILT20 table after five matches of the competition’s third season.

Despite the low first innings total, skipper Lockie Ferguson kept the Vipers in the game with a sizzling opening spell. Ferguson picked up Ben Dunk and Khalid Shah in the second over to leave the Capitals in trouble at 17/2.

Though the run rate was on track, opener Shai Hope was run out for eight runs, following a mix-up with Naib in the sixth over.

Naib, who was also dropped for two runs earlier in the innings, redeemed himself in the very next over as he took down Nathan Sowter for three sixes, bringing the required run rate to less than six runs an over.

With Sikandar Raza at one end, Naib blitzed his way to a 31-ball half-century, including two fours and three sixes. The pair brought up a 50-run stand for the fourth wicket in 36 balls.

As a result, at the 14-over mark, the Capitals were in the driver’s seat needing 32 runs in 36 balls.

Raza, who had taken few chances, was caught off Mohammad Amir’s shorter one for 24 runs in 26 balls in the 15th over. Najibullah Zadran joined Naib as the latter continued to dominate the Vipers’ bowling attack. Naib launched two more sixes as the Capitals scaled the target in 17.4 overs.

Batting first, the Vipers made a brisk start, reaching 48/1 at the end of the powerplay. Fakhar Zaman set the tone early, smashing a six and a four before being bowled by Chameera in the second over.

Dan Lawrence, batting at three, matched Zaman’s intent, while Alex Hales anchored the innings from the other end.

However, the Capitals took control in the middle phase despite a 58-run stand between Hales and Lawrence. The Vipers suffered a triple blow in quick succession, losing Hales, Lawrence, and Sam Curran across three overs.

Haider Ali dismissed Hales for 34 in the 10th over, followed by Lawrence’s 24-run effort being curtailed by Naib. Curran was then stumped off Sikandar Raza for three runs, leaving the Vipers struggling at 80/4 in 11.3 overs.

The collapse continued as the Vipers were bowled out for 139 in 20 overs. Brief contributions from Azam Khan (10) and Wanindu Hasaranga (13) ended with both falling to Zahir Khan.

Sherfane Rutherford provided a glimmer of hope, striking three sixes in his 27 runs off 24 balls, but Chameera struck for the third time in the penultimate over to halt his charge.

Player of the Match Naib said: “We were at the bottom of the table, so we were looking for momentum. There’s still a long way to go. It’s not easy facing bowlers of this quality.

“Luckily, I gave myself some time. After the drinks break, the staff told me I was looking good, so I said to Sikandar, ‘I will play to my strengths.’”

The Desert Vipers’ captain, Ferguson, said: “It was a tough one. We were probably a few runs short and had some chances. They bowled well, and the pitch spun. There’s a quick turnaround again, but the boys have been batting beautifully.”

Brief Scores

Dubai Capitals beat Desert Vipers by 6 wickets.

Desert Vipers 139/10 in 19.5 overs (Alex Hales 34, Sherfane Rutherford 27, Dan Lawrence 24, Dushmantha Chameera 3 for 26, Zahir Khan 3 for 34, Haider Ali 1 for 17).

Dubai Capitals 140/4 in 17.4 overs (Gulbadin Naib 78 not out, Sikandar 24, Ben Dunk 13, Lockie Ferguson 2 for 29, Mohammad Amir 1 for 31).

Player of the Match: Gulbadin Naib


Aayan Afzal Khan’s record in vain as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat Gulf Giants 

Updated 20 January 2025
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Aayan Afzal Khan’s record in vain as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat Gulf Giants 

  • Michael Pepper’s half-century led the Knight Riders to a 37-run victory to leave his team 3rd in DP World ILT20 table
  • Desert Vipers are top with MI Emirates 2nd after 4 matches for each of the 6 teams

DUBAI: The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders clinched their second victory of the DP World ILT20 Season 3 on Sunday evening, defeating the Gulf Giants by 37 runs at a packed Dubai International Stadium.

Despite Aayan Afzal Khan’s four-wicket haul for just 16 runs — a new record for the best figures by a UAE player in DP World ILT20 history — the Knight Riders posted 176/9, buoyed by Michael Pepper’s half-century. Ibrar Ahmad, Jason Holder and Ali Khan each bagged two wickets to keep the Giants at bay. 

It was a tough outing for the Giants’ batters as they lost both openers in the powerplay. Adam Lyth was scalped by David Willey in the first over, while skipper James Vince, who looked in good form, miscued off Ibrar Ahmad for 14 runs in the fourth over. 

At 40/2 by the end of the powerplay, the Giants were falling well behind. The innings unraveled further as Jordan Cox departed for 10 runs and Ibrahim Zadran was bowled by Sunil Narine after he had worked hard for 24 runs in 22 balls. 

At the 10 over mark, the Giants were wobbling at 62/4. The onus was on Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer to steer another run chase, but it was not to be. Hetmyer had made 20 runs in 15 balls before he holed out to Narine off super sub Ali Khan. Holder then removed Erasmus after the Namibian had accumulated 24 runs in 23 balls to leave the score at 96/6 in 14.1 overs 

The target proved too high as Holder claimed his second wicket through Mark Adair for 19 runs as the Giants finished proceedings at 139/8.

In the first innings, an exciting powerplay for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders treated the fans to runs and wickets, finishing the phase at 60/2. Kyle Mayers and Andries Gous took the initiative, racing to 19 and 17 runs respectively, in 12 balls each. The assault was halted when Tymal Mills castled Kyle Mayers in the fourth over and Gous was caught behind off Wahidullah Zadran in the fifth over. 

Coming at number four, Pepper took flight early in the innings, creaming Adair for three consecutive boundaries. Pepper went on to log a 31-ball 50 including six fours and a six. Along with the support of Joe Clarke, the pair built a 50-run partnership in 33 balls. 

It looked like the Knight Riders were on track for a huge total until Aayan Afzal Khan turned the tide, returning enviable figures of 4 for 16 — the best figures for a UAE player in the DP World ILT20. (The previous record holder was Zuhaib Zuhair with 4 for 22 for Gulf Giants against Sharjah Warriors in 2024). 

Aayan opened his account when he cleaned up Clarke for 24 runs in the 11th over. He followed it up with the wickets of Alishan Sharafu, Andrew Russell and Narine, of whom only Russell made it to double figures with 12 runs. At the end of Aayan’s spell, the Knight Riders were at 131/6 in 15 overs.

In the death overs, Pepper was caught behind off Adair for 57 runs, while Laurie Evans, Holder and Willey made small contributions. Blessing Muzarabani snatched two wickets in Evans and Holder as the Knight Riders finished proceedings at 176/9. 

Named Player of the Match, Pepper said: “When I went in, when the ball was hard, it came on nicely. Not too much bounce in the wicket. Through the innings, it got slower and slower and started turning a little bit more. There is a lot of instinct that goes in, waiting for your areas and then going from there. We have a long batting order; everyone can hit it out of the ground, but it still must be the batters that score runs.”

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Narine said: “We were always thinking two steps ahead and there were more hands on deck. We could have gone closer to 200 after our start. Losing wickets in clusters denied us and that is something we can work on moving ahead. Our batting depth, it is a good problem. You have players batting down the order who might be playing higher otherwise. The guys are willing, and it is about them trying to make the best of whatever position they get.” 

 

Brief Scores

  • Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bt Gulf Giants by 37 runs 
  • Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 176/9 in 20 overs (Michael Pepper 57, Joe Clarke 24, Kyle Mayers 19, Aayan Afzal Khan 4 for 16, Blessing Muzarabani 2 for 28) 
  • Gulf Giants 139/8 in 20 overs (Gerhard Erasmus 24, Shimron Hetmyer 20, Mark Adair 19, Ali Khan 2 for 23, Jason Holder 2 for 25, Ibrar Ahmad 2 for 27)