Stanford 20/20 Board Disbanded

After the latest debacle involving the West Indies Cricket Board, Texan billionaire R. Allen Stanford has disbanded the board of directors for the 20/20 tournament he bankrolled.

Following the successful event, a team of "superstars" was chosen from the players on display and were due to face South Africa in a sanctioned one-off match with a US$5 million winner-takes-all prize. The date laid out by Stanford in January 2006, and agreed to by the WICB was found in August to conflict with the West Indies tour of Pakistan.

In a chain of events that were no less than what the long-suffering fans of West Indies cricket have come to expect from administrators who cannot seem to get anything accomplished in a hassle-free manner, Stanford pulled the plug on the match. WICB President Ken Gordon informed Stanford that the Pakistan Cricket Board were unable
to alter the schedule to allow the superstars' superstars to play in the match. Stanford subsequently requested that the WICB name its touring squad early so he could select a team from those available on the slated date of November 11. Another communication bungle in the WICB led to a reply that stated Brian Lara had ruled out early selection of the touring party, whilst other members of the senior selection panel had not even been informed
of Stanford's initial request.

The Stanford 20/20 board has now been disbanded on what Stanford describes as a temporary basis, and hopes to rev things up again once the World Cup is completed in 2007. He is hopeful that the All Stars match will go ahead some time in 2008.

Pakistan Tour Dates Announced

The Pakistan and West Indies Cricket Boards have announced dates for the West IndiesNovember-December tour of Pakistan. It is the first time in 9 years West Indies will travel to Pakistan. In 2001-02 they refused to tour Pakistan and the series was moved to Sharjah,in the UAE.

Check the fixtures page for the full itinerary. No details yet on who will broadcast English language commentary of the three Tests and five One Day International matches but we willpost that information as soon as it comes to hand.

RIP Sir Clyde

Sir Clyde Walcott, former West Indies and Barbados player, and the first non-British ICC Chairman, has passed away at the age of 80. One of the 3W's, Sir Clyde has joined Sir Frank Worrell beyond life's boundary leaving only Sir Everton Weekes with us.

Sir Clyde was Wisden's Cricketer of the Year in 1958 and was knighted in 1994 for his services to the sport. During his illustrious career Walcott, with Worrell, recorded in 1945-46 what still remains the highest ever stand for any West Indian wicket - 574 for Barbados against Trinidad & Tobago.

All across the cricket world Sir Clyde Walcott will be mourned. I hope to see a fitting memorial alongside Worrell, beneath the great stumps at the 3W's oval in Barbados.

Stanford 20/20 All Stars Named

The All Stars squad to take on South Africa in November's US$5 million Stanford 20/20 International has been selected by the tournament's Legends.

Those chosen to participate in a pre-match camp and in contention for a final XI berth for the November 10 match, which will be the richest single cricket event of all time are:

Carlton Baugh Jr
Pedro Collins
Esaun Crandon
Narsingh Deonarine
Mervyn Dillon
Travis Dowlin
Andre Fletcher
Daren Ganga
Chris Gayle
Dennis George
Wavell Hinds
Rawl Lewis
Mahendra Nagamootoo
Nelon Pascal
Kieron Pollard
Darren Sammy
Marlon Samuels
Ramnaresh Sarwan
Jerome Taylor
Tonito Willett

The camp runs from October 20 - November 10, posing something of a problem should West Indies progress beyond the qualifying stage of the ICC Champions Trophy, being played in India around the same time.

Guyana Win Stanford 20/20

With just one delivery remaining in the final of the inaugural Stanford 20/20 tournament,Guyana's Narsingh Deonarine smashed a six off the bowling of Samuel Badree and inked his country in the record books. In a contest that had come down to the wire, Guyana emerged victorious over Trinidad & Tobago.

The prize at stake? US$1 million. A lot of money, especially when converted into Guyanese dollars.

Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and his team put the pedal to the metal at the end of the innings, requiring 14 runs off the last over and snatching victory from his opposite number Daren Ganga and his T&T squad.

Guyana notched up 176-5, edging past Trinidad & Tobago's 175-6.