Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
A more youthful, energetic West Indies take shape for 2022
West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons (left) in discussion with hisplayers (Photo: CWI Media)
Editorial
January 7, 2022

A more youthful, energetic West Indies take shape for 2022

As has been the case for sport since early 2020, COVID-19 is casting a long shadow as hosts West Indies face Ireland at Sabina Park for the first of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) today.

The Irish have come with a weakened squad after the novel coronavirus not only cut short their recent trip to the United States but left them without two of their top players, including respected veteran Mr Paul Stirling.

Ireland have come at a time when the fourth wave of COVID-19 is on the rise in Jamaica. Indeed, at least three members of a squad called up by Jamaica’s selectors for a warm-up 50-over match against the visitors earlier this week had to be withdrawn and isolated after testing positive.

The COVID-19 surge, believed to be spurred by the Omicron variant, had previously influenced the Jamaican Government to backtrack on plans to allow vaccinated fans into Sabina Park.

Readers will perhaps recall that two Test matches between West Indies and Pakistan in Jamaica last year were also played without spectators. As happened for the Pakistan trip, outside of broadcast crews, even vaccinated journalists are being barred from entering Sabina Park.

For the Mr Kieron Pollard-led West Indies squad, success against the Irish is vital after a dismal performance by a largely ageing side at the Twenty20 (T20) World Cup late last year. A follow-up white-ball trip to Pakistan with a young team, in the absence of an injured Mr Pollard, just before Christmas showed solid improvement, despite losing all games there.

West Indies Coach Mr Phil Simmons is certain to have cautioned his team to avoid complacency against the Irish who, while ranked lower than their hosts, are renowned for their fighting spirit and tendency to upset the odds.

Mr Simmons is well-qualified in this regard, having coached Ireland with considerable success between 2007 and 2015. During those eight years Ireland qualified for every major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament and counted West Indies among their conquests in white-ball cricket.

Now in charge of a mostly youthful squad, Mr Simmons has stirred our interest with his stated intention to adjust the West Indian approach to white-ball cricket with more emphasis on basic efficiencies such as running between wickets and fielding.

“The way we started in Pakistan is the way we want to play now — a lot more energy, a lot more enthusiasm,” he is reported as saying.

We are all for that.

On-field cricket apart, cricket fans are soaking up news that the great West Indies opening batsman of the late 1970s, 1980s, and early ’90s Mr Desmond Haynes, 65, has been appointed lead selector of the regional team.

He is joined by 41-year-old Mr Ramnaresh Sarwan, an outstanding middle-order batsman who played for the West Indies in all formats between 2000 and 2013. For sure, Mr Sarwan will bring first-hand knowledge of the fast-paced T20 format to the selectors’ room.

Messrs Haynes and Sarwan have replaced Messrs Roger Harper and Miles Bascombe, both of whom came under strong criticism for team selection, especially in relation to the most recent T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

We wish West Indies cricket all that’s good in what is certain to be a very challenging 2022.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

87-octane price climbs 37% since January
Latest News, News
87-octane price climbs 37% since January
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Petrojam’s billing price for 87-octane gasoline has climbed 37 per cent since the start of the year, with motorists facing another...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
US trial of Venezuela’s Maduro set for June 2027
International News, Latest News
US trial of Venezuela’s Maduro set for June 2027
July 22, 2026
NEW YORK, United States (AFP)—Venezuela's ousted president Nicolas Maduro and his wife will go on trial in the United States in June 2027, a court rul...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
CPFSA expresses horror over brutal killing of 10-y-o girl in Trelawny
Latest News, News
CPFSA expresses horror over brutal killing of 10-y-o girl in Trelawny
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) says it is horrified and deeply saddened by the tragic murder of 10-year-o...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant launches new partnership for children with autism
Entertainment, Latest News
Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant launches new partnership for children with autism
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A humanitarian partnership has been formed between Miss 30+ Jamaica contestant Shanakaye Edwards and Harmony for Humanity Foundati...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Efforts to refloat sunken Guyanese vessel to begin Wednesday
Latest News, Regional
Efforts to refloat sunken Guyanese vessel to begin Wednesday
July 22, 2026
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — The Guyana Government says it will begin operations at midday on Wednesday to refloat the sunken MV Barima using specialise...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
LASCO Financial Services backs Greater Change Foundation with $50,000 donation
Latest News, News
LASCO Financial Services backs Greater Change Foundation with $50,000 donation
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As communities continue to recover from the effects of Hurricane Melissa, LASCO Financial Services has stepped forward with a $50,...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Media leaders urge overhaul of communications training
Latest News, News
Media leaders urge overhaul of communications training
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Media practitioners and academics are calling for closer partnerships among universities, employers and Corporate Jamaica to bette...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Naggo Head Primary reclaims crown in TPDCo’s Tourism Quiz Competition
Latest News, News
Naggo Head Primary reclaims crown in TPDCo’s Tourism Quiz Competition
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — After weeks of intense competition, quick thinking and an impressive display of knowledge about Jamaica’s tourism industry, histor...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct