Sunil Under Attack by BCCI in India Premier League

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine has been banned from bowling off breaks in any match organised

by the BCCI, officials announced yesterday.

Narine’s ban, imposed after the BCCI suspect bowling action committee reviewed the evidence, also extends to matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Narine may continue to bowl his other deliveries - the knuckle ball and the quicker straight ball.

However if he uses the off-break again in the ongoing IPL, he will be suspended from bowling in BCCI-organised matches, officials have said.

Narine is now expected to undergo corrective work on his action again after which he can request another assessment by the BCCI committee.

He was reported again for a suspect action following Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) game against Sunrisers Hyderabad 

NIGHTMARES from Page 72

on April 22 in Visakhapatnam and went to the ICC-accredited Sri Ramachandra Arthroscopy and Sports Sciences Centre in Chennai for a biomechanical analysis of his bowling action.

The BCCI suspect bowling action committee‎ concluded that Narine’s action for his off-break was illegal.

Narine has since missed Knight Riders’ match against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday as the franchise had decided to not risk playing the spinner.

Twice he was reported during the Champions League T20 last year forcing him to skip the West Indies’ tour of South Africa. And despite remedial work and participation in the regional Nagico Super50 competition, Narine also opted to miss the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in February.

Narine’s current plight has brought him sympathy from his KKR teammate Brad Hogg.

“All I can say is that I feel sorry for Sunil, what he is going through at the moment,” said Hogg, a left-arm chinaman bowler, and a lower-order left-handed batsman.

“I think it is disappointing that he has gone away. He has come back. He is being tested. All of a sudden he is put under the spotlight again. I feel sorry for him”.

Hogg added: “It’s one of them things as a cricketer I am not happy with those situations at the present moment. He has got a wonderful skill. It’s just disappointing where he is at the moment but he is in high spirits and hopefully we will see him again in the rest of the IPL in the future”

Source: trindadexpress

Trinidad and Tobago Player Bows to Lionel Messi

Guerra bow to Messi during the handshakes. What a groupie.. You are on a T&T professional team. Act normal

Lionel Messi has never been short of plaudits, but having an opponent bow down to him must be a new experience. 

The Barcelona star was representing his country in a World Cup warm-up match against Trinidad and Tobago. 

As the players exchanged pre-match handshakes, midfielder Ataullah Guerra passed the Argentine and instead of a handshake gave him a different greeting by bowing down.

Fans were divided by the act, with some appearing pleased that the Trinidad and Tobago player showed a touch of humanity and reverence, and others ashamed of his "groupie" unprofessional actions. 

Indeed this extremity and granduer treatment would not be offered to Messi during the World Cup which is set to begin in seven days. 

BREAKING NEWS - Jehue Gordon Wins Gold!

Jehue Gordon struck gold in the men's 400 metres hurdles at the IAAF World Championships here in Moscow, Russia, today.

The Trinidad and Tobago athlete clocked a personal best 47.69 seconds to beat Michael Tinsley into second spot, the American getting to the line in 47.70. Serbia's Emir Bekric bagged bronze in 48.05.

Gordon is only the second T&T athlete to earn World Championship gold, following in the footsteps of 1997 men's 200 metres champion Ato Boldon.

Source: trinidadexpress.com

Kelly- Ann Baptiste a Genuine Threat for Worlds

MOTORING TO THE LINE: Kelly-Ann Baptiste, right, 

motors to the finish line in the NAAA Sagicor General/NGC National

Open Track and Field Championship women’s 200 metres final,

at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, on Sunday.

Baptiste clocked 22.36 seconds, a new Trinidad and Tobago record, 

to complete an impressive sprint double. Kai Selvon, 

left, seized silver in 22.98. On Saturday, Baptiste retained her

 100m title in 10.83 seconds – 

also a national record. —Photo: JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK

Kelly-Ann Baptiste established herself as a genuine World Championship medal contender in both sprints with two sizzling runs at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, on the weekend.

On Saturday, Baptiste established a new Trinidad and Tobago record—10.83 seconds—in winning her seventh women’s 100 metres national title. The clocking was the fastest time in the world this year.

And on Sunday, the final day of the NAAA Sagicor General/NGC National Open Track and Field Championships, Baptiste captured the 200m title in 22.36 seconds—also a new T&T standard. She is joint-fifth on the 2013 women’s 200m world performance list.

But while Baptiste is certain to bid for precious metal in the 100m dash at the August 10-18 IAAF World Championships, in Moscow, Russia, the 26-year-old track star told the Express she has not yet made a decision on her participation in the longer sprint.

“I really don’t know. I actually told my coach if I don’t run a certain time by the World Championships, I’m not going to double. It (the time) was within this ball park, so that’s a good sign.

“I’ll see how I do on the Diamond League circuit against other competitors, and depending on those performances, I will make a judgment then.”

But even if Baptiste decides to chase one individual title in Moscow, her half-lap outings this season will not be in vain.

“I need to work on my speed maintenance towards the end of my 100, and also in the 200. Running the 200 is going to help me gather that in the 100 metres.”

Baptiste said that since she was nursing a quadriceps injury, recently, Saturday’s 10.83 run was particularly gratifying.

“After May I picked up a slight cramp on my quad, so I was out for a while, so it was just about coming out here and getting back some confidence in my execution of my race and just being excited to compete again. The time just came along with my excitement to be able to compete. I wasn’t expecting a 10.83, but it happened and I’m grateful for that.”

The closest challenger for Baptiste in Saturday’s century final was Michelle-Lee Ahye, the 21-year-old sprinter seizing silver in a personal best 11.06 seconds. The competition will be stiffer when Baptiste competes at the July 6 Meeting Areva IAAF Diamond League meet, in Paris, France.

The 2011 World Championship 100m bronze medallist is hoping her times in Europe, in the build-up to the 2013 Worlds, will be similar to what she produced at the Crawford Stadium on the weekend.

“I have to go out there and try to replicate my performance, and replicating it means executing it the same way that I did—whether it’s against Michelle and this type of competition, or whether it’s against Carmelita Jeter and Shelly-Ann Fraser, I have to be able to duplicate the same technical things that I did in this race. It gives me a gauge as to what I need to do when I go on the circuit.” 

Source:trinidadexpress

Masked man interrupts French Open final to protest over Gay Marriage

A security guard runs to restrain a protester holding a flare
 as he jumps on court during the French Open men's final between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer. Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The tournament director of the French Open has labelled the flare-wielding protester who interrupted Sunday's men's singles final between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer as 'pathetic'.

The man who invaded Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros was campaigning against gay marriage in France following the passing of the same-sex marriage bill, which legalised gay adoption.

Nadal had just gone 5-1 up in the second set when the bare-chested man leapt out of the crowd near the umpire's chair and on to Court Philippe Chatrier, carrying a flare. He was tackled by security staff and wrestled to the ground just off the court.

The incident came minutes after play had been briefly interrupted when protesters high in the stands began chanting.

The tournament director at Roland Garros, Gilbert Ysern, said: "I don't want to give any additional publicity to these people, who sadly have a lack of respect for sport and sportsmen. It's just pathetic.

"I have no wish to speak about it, quite honestly. The only thing I will [say] is that luckily our security services did a great job."

It is the second time in five years an intruder has managed to get on to Court Philippe Chatrier during the men's final. In 2009, a man dressed in a Spanish bullfighter's outfit was able to confront Roger Federer before being stopped by security staff.

Additional story at this link.

Source:TheguardianUk

The Lalonde Gordon Sports Fund

Double Olympic bronze medalist, Lalonde Gordon.

The Lalonde Gordon Sports Fund will be launched next month. The foundation was established to honour the 2012 double Olympic bronze medalist, Tobago born Lalonde Gordon.

"We're now in Tobago at a state where we have to create programmes to ensure that we develop our athletes and our young people," Secretary of the Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport (DEYAS) Councillor Gary Melville disclosed at Wednesday's Post Executive Council media briefing (February 13, 2013).

"Today the Executive Council would have processed the mechanism to operationalise the Fund," Melville said.

In August, following the 2012 London Olympics, THA Chief Secretary Orville London made the commitment to establish the Fund. It was created in honour of Gordon's double bronze achievement in the men's 400 metres and 4x400 metres relay during the Olympics.

Melville said the THA would provide $1million each year to the Fund and was hoping that corporate citizens and those who would have benefited from sports awards would make cash contributions. The Fund would be used to develop coaches, athletes and athletes.

"The primary purpose of the fund if to develop athletes, coaches, officials and volunteer administrators," Melville said. "We want to enhance the development of sport participation in Tobago, especially at the elite level."

Melville said the Fund is an opportunity for all major participants in sports in Tobago "to access training and further development."

Melville indicated that DEYAS was working to set up a Funding Request Assessment Committee and launch the Fund next month. The programme will incorporate a centralised funding effort that provides support to sport organizations and individual athletes. "We will contact Mr Gordon as to his availability and various members of the private sector for support."

DEYAS Secretary said the THA would contribute $1 million annually to the Fund.

SOURCE: tha.gov.tt

Tobago Born TOP of the World

Lalonde Gordon, OlympicDouble Bronze Medallist

Double Olympic bronze medallist Lalonde Gordon shot to the top of the 2013 indoor men's 200 metres world performance list when he stopped the clock at 20.60 seconds to strike gold at the Terrier Invitational, in Boston, USA, on Saturday.

Gordon also leads the world in the 300m. On January 11, he clocked a personal best 32.48 seconds for victory at the Gotham Cup in New York. The clocking was the ninth fastest indoor 300m run in history.

One week later, again in New York, Gordon won his 2013 200m opener in 20.91 seconds. On Saturday, the Trinidad and Tobago athlete improved on that clocking by 31-hundredths of a second to jump from sixth to first on the world list.

Last August, Gordon bagged bronze in the men's 400m at the Olympic Games, in London, England. He then teamed up with Jarrin Solomon, Ade Alleyne-Forte and Deon Lendore for bronze in the 4x400m relay in three minutes, 59.40 seconds--a new T&T record.

Another T&T athlete, Adrian Crichlow was 10th overall in Saturday's Terrier Invitational men's 200m in 21.67 seconds. And in the men's 500m, Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus) student, Kervin Morgan was 10th in 1:04.53.

Also on Saturday, Solomon produced an indoor best at the New Mexico Collegiate Invitational, in New Mexico. He clocked 46.32 seconds to secure gold in the men's 400m. His previous best in the indoor 400 was 46.55.

Solomon is fourth on the 2013 indoor 400m performance list. Lendore and Alleyne-Forte are also on the 2013 list. Lendore is actually the world leader with the 45.91 seconds scorcher he produced in Texas, USA, two Saturdays ago, while Alleyne-Forte is in ninth spot at 46.88.

Saturday's race was Solomon's first 400 for the year. Two Friday's ago, he was victorious in a 600m event in New Mexico in 1:17.63.

T&T's Reyare Thomas secured the women's sprint double at the New Mexico Collegiate Invitational. The Abilene Christian University (ACU) student won the 60m final in 7.58 seconds and the 200m in an indoor best 24.16. Her ACU teammate, Osei Alleyne-Forte was 15th overall in the men's 200m in 22.46 seconds.

At the Jack Jennett Invite, in Iowa, Dan-Neil Telesford topped the men's 400m field. The Iowa Central Community College student got home in 49.31 seconds.

Arkansas State University's Kashef Daniel cleared the bar at 2.10 metres to cop third spot in the men's high jump, at the Arkansas State Invitational. Daniel also competed in the long jump, finishing 10th with a 6.58m leap.

At the Cougar Indoor Invitational, in Washington, Washington State University athlete Shawna Fermin clocked 7.66 seconds for bronze in the women's 60m dash.

Hilenn James produced a new personal best at the Razorback Invitational, in Arkansas. The University of Georgia student threw 16.80 metres to finish fourth in the women's shot put.

Louisiana State University (LSU) sprinter, Shermund Allsop was sixth in heat two and 10th overall in the men's 60m semis in 6.94 seconds. The top eight advanced to the final. In the preliminary round, Allsop clocked 6.90. And in the 200m, he was second in section three and 19th overall in 21.80 seconds. University of Florida student, Jovon Toppin was 28th in the men's 400m in 48.91.

At the Jayhawk Classic, in Kansas, Butler County Community College athlete, Abiane Collymore finished eighth in the women's 1,000m in 3:26.03. Her teammate, Richard Marcano clocked 7.19 seconds for 42nd spot overall in the men's 60m.

And Middle Tennessee State University's Kendall Bacchus got to the line in 22.41 seconds to finish 12th overall in the men's 200m, at the Rod McCravy Memorial meet, in Kentucky.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress

Usain Bolt to auction gold Nissan GT-R for charity

Gold Nissan GT-R to be Auctioned for Usain Bolt's Charity

The only thing Usain Bolt likes more than winning gold medals and scoffing chicken nuggets is driving fast cars. So it was hardly surprising when Nissan snapped up the Jamaican sprinter as a brand ambassador, made him 'Director of Excitement' and asked him to create a special one-off Gold GT-R.

The car, which will be auctioned for charity later this month, features faux-gold paintwork from bonnet to bumper and features Bolt's embossed signature. There's plenty of bling inside, too, thanks to interior fittings made of real gold. The colour scheme was chosen to match the hue of Bolt's considerable haul of medals, in case you hadn't spotted the link.

The gold GT-R will be auctioned later this month to benefit the Usain Bold Foundation. The proceeds will go towards helping the foundation's work creating opportunities for young people in Bolt's country of origin Jamaica.

If you're not rich or fortunate enough to secure the winning bid then fret not. Bolt is also busy working with Nissan product specialists on a limited-edition run of special GT-R models, which will go on sale across the globe. No further details have been confirmed as yet, but if it's not not finished in black, green and gold or tuned to be faster than the standard car we'll eat our rasta hats.

Toshiyuki Shiga, Chief Operating Officer, rolled out the obligatory quote, backing Bolt's contribution to the brand. "Nissan shares the spirit of excitement that captivated worldwide audiences at the Olympics,” he said. “There is no-one better qualified than Usain Bolt to help us translate that spirit into great experiences."

Bolt countered with: "Racing is my inspiration, and I want to help Nissan become an even more exciting brand for everyone."

Expect this partnership to continue for some time.

reproduce from this site

Kelly Ann Baptiste Visits Chief Secretary

Trinidad and Tobago athlete Kelly Ann Baptiste
paid a courtesy call on THA Chief Secretary Orville London
at his Calder Hall office on Monday (October 15, 2012).

She hasn't yet reached her peak and still has many years ahead of her.

This was an assurance given by Olympian Kelly-Ann Baptiste when she made a courtesy call on THA Chief Secretary Orville London on Monday at his Calder Hall office.

Baptiste thanked the Chief Secretary and Tobago for the support she has received. She said that though she had high expectations, the support of others "helped pick me up from the slump."

But Mr London reassured her. "We do not equate success only with medals," he said.

The Chief Secretary described Kelly-Ann as "an exemplar to Tobagonians." He said Tobago appreciated the effort Baptiste made in London, despite her disappointment. Baptiste had started the season at a near personal best, but injury forced her out of this year's Olympics, though she had made the final of the women's 100 meter.

The Flordia-based athlete took a 3 hour flight to Tobago last Thursday, celebrating her 26th birthday on the island on Sunday. Graduating from Louisiana State University in 2011, Baptiste has a BA in Psychology and would like to continue her education in two years.

Baptiste said she viewed upcoming track and field events as "markers to indicate what I need to change" in preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Baptiste is scheduled to leave Tobago on Wednesday and officially resumes training on November 6th.

Reproduced from THA official site

West Indies Crowned ICC Twenty20 World Cup Winners

Winners of ICC World t20, West Indies
Celebrating with a "GangnamStyle " dance

In one of the most electrifying match that cricket have ever seen, West Indies bowled themselves into the winners rows of World Twenty20 ICC cricket champions. Darren Sammy's West Indies were crowned the new World Twenty20 champions on Sunday after a 36-run victory over hosts Sri Lanka in a dramatic final in Colombo. 

West Indies, lefts the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Trophy

The entire team was dancing and entertaining the crowd with the Gangnam style Dance bringing their best balling in the final, winning a tense finale even after Chris Gayle didn't fire. Samuels, Narine, Sammy have all played their part and this victory will do a lot of good both to West Indies cricket and world cricket.

The West Indies, restricted to 137-6 after electing to bat, hit back to bowl Sri Lanka out for 101 and silence a sell-out crowd of 35,000 at the Premadasa stadium that included President Mahinda Rajapakse.

It was the first world title for the West Indies since the 50-over World Cup triumph under Clive Lloyd in 1979, and handed Sri Lanka their fourth defeat in a major final since 2007.

Spinner Sunil Narine grabbed three wickets for nine runs and Sammy took two as the hosts, who had excelled in the field in the first session, undid the good work with irresponsible batting in the second.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene survived two dropped catches to top-score with 33, while tailender Nuwan Kulasekara hit 26 off 13 balls, including three fours and a six in the 16th over of seamer Ravi Rampaul.

Sri Lanka's unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis had taken four wickets for 12 runs as the West Indies collapsed once Chris Gayle was removed in the sixth over for only three runs.

Sad Face of Sri Lanka's Supporter 

Marlon Samuels was the only batsman to defy the spot-on Sri Lankan bowling, making 78 off 56 balls with the help of six sixes and three boundaries.

His brilliant strokeplay helped the West Indies add 105 runs in the last 10 overs after they were reduced to 32-2 from the first 10.

Sri Lanka lost opener Tillakaratne Dilshan in the second over before Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara added 42 for the second wicket.

The hosts were cruising at 48-1 in the 10th over when the West Indies bounced back by claiming four wickets for 13 runs.

Sangakkara holed out in the deep off Samuel Badree for 22, Angelo Mathews was bowled by Darren Sammy, Jayawardene was caught off a reverse sweep and Jeevan Mendis ran himself out.

Sri Lanka had taken an early grip on the match by keeping the West Indies down to 14-2 in the first six powerplay overs after Johnson Charles had been dismissed off the fifth ball of the match.

The West Indies had to wait till the 19th delivery to score their first run with the bat and Gayle needed nine balls to get off the mark.

The left-hander struggled for 16 deliveries to make three before he was trapped leg-before by Mendis in the sixth over.

West Indies Celebrating their Victory
after winning the ICC Twenty20 Final

It was not till the 12th over that the West Indies, who had pummelled Australia in the semi-finals, showed the first signs of aggression as Dwayne Bravo pulled 19-year-old spinner Akila Dananjaya for a six over mid-wicket.

Samuels responded by smashing three sixes in the next over of sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga, two of them in succession over mid-wicket and extra-cover.

Bravo helped Samuels add 59 runs for the third wicket when he was given out leg-before by Australian umpire Simon Taufel, even though replays showed the ball go off the bat on to the pad.

The 17th over, bowled by Malinga, produced 19 runs as Samuels smashed a boundary and two consecutive sixes to leave the frontline bowler with unflattering figures of 0-54 from his four overs.

Sri Lanka have now lost two successive 50-over World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011 and two World Twenty20 finals in 2009 and 2012.

West Indies partying with Manager Richie Richardson

West Indies Advances to Super Eight in ICC t20 World Cup

Sunil Narine celebrates

 the fall of Ed Joyce, Ireland v West Indies, 

World Twenty20, Group B, Colombo, September 24, 2012.

West Indies entered the Super Eights of the ICC World Twenty20 by virtue of superior net run-rate after their final group league encounter against Ireland was called off due to heavy downpour at the R Premadasa Stadium on
Monday.

West Indies and Ireland both lost their opening games to Australia, however, it was the West Indies powerful batting line that placed them in a superior position with a run-rate of -1.855 over Ireland's -2.092. They will now face New Zealand, England, and Sri Lanka at the the Super Eights.

A disciplined effort by West Indies bowlers saw them restrict Ireland to a modest 129 for six in the rain-curtailed final Group B match. 

The match was reduced to 19-overs-a-side affair after steady drizzle delayed the proceedings by 50 minutes. 

Chris Gayle was the most successful bowler with figures of two for 21 while Ravi Rampaul, captain Darren Sammy, Fidel Edwards and Sunil Narine got a wicket apiece after the West Indian skipper opted to field. 

Ireland captain William Porterfield was again out of the very first ball of the match. After Shane Watson got rid off him with a perfect bouncer in their last game, it was Fidel Edwards' turn to clean him up with a lethal yorker which he failed to dig out. 

Paul Stirling (19) and Ed Joyce (17) then hit a few lusty blows as Ireland reached 33 for one after five overs when steady drizzle stopped play. 

After a break of nearly an hour, the proceedings started once again and off-spinner Narine removed Joyce. It was an off-break which saw the left-hander getting bowled round his legs. 

Stirling, who was in a mood to hit every ball out of sight tried to pull one from Sammy but only managed to offer a simple catch to Gayle at mid-wicket. 

At 37 for three, Niall O'Brien and Gary Wilson got together and added 33 for the fourth wicket before bowling change by Sammy did the trick. 

Gayle was brought in to bowl his fast off-breaks. Wilson, who scored 21 with help of three boundaries went for an ambitious cut shot but only managed to edge one to Denesh Ramdin behind the stumps. 

The highlight of that dismissal was that of a happy Gayle breaking into an impromptu jig that resembled 'bhangra'. 

The O'Brien brothers then got together. Niall played the hook shot off Andre Russell's bowling that fetched him a six while Kevin lofted a length delivery from Edwards over long-off. 

At 96 for 4, it was Gayle, who bowled an accurate delivery right in the blockhole to Niall that disturbed his off-stump. The Irish batsman scored 25 off 21 balls with the help of a solitary six. 

Kevin followed suit when his pre-meditated shuffle outside off-stump to a Rampaul delivery saw his off-stump uprooted. 

Nigel Jones (14) and Trent Johnston (15) then added 22 runs for the unbroken seventh-wicket partnership to take Ireland forward.

The only worry for Darren Sammy's men will be entering the next stage without having won a single match among the eight teams that will be fighting it out in the Super Eights}.

t20 Licks for West Indies

Despite brisk half-centuries by Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, which helped spur West Indies to a seemingly challenging 191 for eight off 20 overs, an aggressive Australia response and rain resulted in a 17-run defeat on the Duckworth/Lewis method for Darren Sammy's team in their first match of the ICC World T20 tournament, yesterday.

When the rain swept across the Premadasa Stadium, Australia were 100 for one off 9.1 overs with Shane Watson, who made 41 not out, and Mike Hussey, unbeaten on 28, leading an exciting run chase.

Left-hander David Warner had set the stage with a swashbuckling 28 off 14 balls including three fours and two sixes–22 runs coming off only the second over from fast bowler Ravi Rampaul.

The result propelled the Australians into the Super Eights as winners of Group B and left West Indies needing to beat Ireland tomorrow to advance as well, although a no-decision would also be in their favour on a superior net run rate.

It was a pity the rain intervened and prevented the match from going the distance as Australia were chasing what would have been the fifth-highest successful run chase in T20 international history.

After winning the toss, West Indies suffered an early setback when Dwayne Smith was bowled for two by an inswinger, which hit the top of the stumps, from left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc with the score on eight in the second over.

Gayle and Johnson Charles then took the score to 47 in the sixth over before Charles played on off the gloves to fast-medium bowler Daniel Christian for 16 off 12 balls as he tried to run the ball down to third man.

It let in Samuels, and showing a good understanding with fellow Jamaican Gayle, the pair lifted the tempo in fine style. Gayle, dropped on four at third man by Watson off Starc, topcored with 54 off 33 balls including five fours and four sixes, while Samuels emerged from a quiet start to clobber 50 off 32 balls, which contained three fours and four sixes.

Left-hander Gayle hit 41-year-old left-arm spinner Brad Hogg for six over long-on in the seventh over to move to 35 off 21 balls with four fours and two sixes, and greeted off-spinner Glenn Maxwell with another six over long-on and a pull over midwicket for six as well, which carried 95 metres.

Player-of-the-Match Watson atoned for his early miss when he had Gayle caught and bowled off the leading edge, having added 46 in 4.5 overs with Samuels.

Samuels and Dwayne Bravo (27 off 21 balls) then sustained the tempo, putting on 47 in 5.2 overs for the fourth wicket before Samuels was caught at long-on by Warner off Hogg.

Starc was the leading wicket-taker with three for 35, while Watson picked up two for 29–both off four overs.

Warner batted in his usual attacking style and seemed baffled when he was given out caught at the wicket by Denesh Ramdin off pacer Fidel Edwards as he essayed a drive off the first ball of the third over with the score on 30.

But Watson's 24-ball knock, inclusive of three fours and two sixes, and Hussey, who faced 19 balls while striking three fours and one six, ensured Australia were ahead when the rain came.

The onslaught was underlined when off-spinner Samuels was struck for 22 in the eighth over, including two consecutive sixes–the second a flat pull which went through the hands of Smith just inside the midwicket boundary.

As soon as Rampaul was brought back for a second spell, it started to rain cats and dogs, and West Indies knew that their wayward bowling had undone them in the face of the D/L method.

reproduced from Trinidad Express

GOLDEN LANE BLITZ MASON HALL

Golden Lane was gifted a spot in the Big 8 playoffs of the First Division of the Tobago Football Association last Sunday at the Tablepiece Recreation Ground when they bombed out an undermanned Mason Hall PYC 13-0 to finish in fourth position in the Western Conference .

Needing to score 13 goals to gain the final qualifying spot in the Conference, their opposition Mason Hall Police Youth Club turned up at the venue with seven players. Although two other players turned up for the second half, the players and management of Black Rock FC that taught they had the fourth position sewed up, looked on in horror as Golden Lane poured in the goals to eventually accomplish the required number of goals needed to qualify .

Imlah Taylor helped himself to four goals, Kerwin Simon grabbed a hattrick while Corey Carrington, Ryan Mc Kellar and Kurtnell Joseph scored two goals each in the 13-0 debacle.

Black Rock battled back from a 3-0 deficit to almost grab a valuable point but eventually lost 3-2 to another qualifier, Hills United at Canaan. Kafele George, Kandel Joefield and Ricardo Williams were on target for Hills while Trevor Alleyne netted a brace for Black Rock.

Kino Proctor celebrated his homecoming after being transfer from St. Clair's Coaching School with a hattrick as Moriah Youth qualified for the first time for the Big 8 with a 6-4 victory over Carnbee-Mt. Pleasant. Kwasi Pope, Kleon Pope and Alex Cadiz were the other goalscorers for Moriah while Delroy Fraser netted two and Rick Gordon and Navelle Roach scored in the losing effort for Carnbee-Mt.Pleasant.

Yet again, Carnbee-Mt. Pleasant have choked at a pivotal period in the season as they lost for the second time for the week in a 3-1 defeat against Signal Hill who finished top in the Western Conference. Omale Jackson grabbed two goals for Signal Hill while they were facilitated with an own goal by their opponent. Delroy Fraser scored for the losers.

The Eastern Division was marred by cancelations over last week as a mixture of lighting development and uncut fields disrupted fixture matches. Mt. Grace, however celebrated their qualification from that division with one match remaining when they downed Federal Northside FC 2-0 with goals from Joel Harry and Darren Waldron.

Earlbrokes and HV Milan also qualified for the playoffs as they finished their fixtures on eleven and seven points respectively. The final position is still up for grabs as either of the bottom three Northside F.C. Charlotteville Unifiers and Goodwood United can still qualify as all have one match still to play.

reproduced verbatim from Tobagonews

Lalonde Gordon Visits Chief Secretary

Double Olympics Bronze Medalist
Lalonde Gordon &
Chief Secretary, Orville London

Double bronze medalist, and first ever Olympics medalist for Tobago, Lalonde Gordon paid a courtesy call on THA Chief Secretary Orville London yesterday (Wednesday 19th September 2012) almost a month after it was originally scheduled to take place.

The Tobago-born athlete was unable to make the call then because he was part of a motorcade that ended late into the night of August 21. He also did not attend a special reception in his honour to receive his award from Chief Secretary London.

As a result his grandmother Yvonne Gordon accepted the envelopes with $200,000 worth of Units from the Unit Trust Corporation and $100,000 in cash plus a first day cover of postage stamps on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the nation's Independence and $50,000 reimbursement to his family who attended the London Olympics.

Lalonde will be the first to own a plot of land next year at the Courland Estate and the establishment of the Lalonde Gordon Sport Development Fund with the main purpose of assisting Tobago's sportsmen and women. London said the THA will open the Fund with $1 million and will continue to make an annual contribution of $1 million. In addition the THA will match contributions dollar for dollar made by corporate organisations. London said he has already received pledges from three private sector organisations.

Lalonde who migrated to the United States at the age of 8 years in 1996 said he has always kept in touch with Tobago and was thankful to God for a successful season and to London and the Assembly for their contribution to his future development.

His advice to young Tobago athletes was to listen to their parents and coach, train hard and have faith in God.

Lalonde said he was on a break from school in New York and planned to pursue a course in sports management on his return.

London told Lalonde that the Assembly and all of Tobago were proud of his achievement and those of the other athletes. The Tobago Chief Secretary assured the young Tobago athlete that when he was no longer on the track the Fund will continue in his name. "This means that when you are no longer on the track you will still be remembered in Tobago as the person who would have been the catalyst for this Fund which I hope will facilitate other outstanding Tobagonians as they try to develop their potential," London added.

Secretary of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport Whitney Alfred and Assistant Secretary in charge of Youth Affairs and Sport Huey Cadette who were present at the meeting also extended best wishes to Lalonde in his future development.

Cadette who was present at the Olympics to see Lalonde's participation in the 400 metres and relay said the Division will continue to support the athletes.

Information gained from THA news

Sunil Narine Named Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2012

Sunil Narine
Awarded Emerging Cricketer of the year 2012

Sunil Narine has capture the Emerging Cricketer of the year in the ICC Awards 2012. Sunil Philip Narine was born 26 May 1988, and is a Trinidadian cricketer who plays for the West Indies. Primarily an off spin bowler, he is also a left-handed batsman. Domestically, Narine has played for Trinidad and Tobago since 2009 and made his One Day International debut in December 2011, and Test debut in June 2012. Narine's participated in the 2012 Indian Premier League where he represented Kolkata Knight Riders and was named Player of the Tournament in his first season.  

The 24-year-old from Trinidadian, follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner and fellow West Indies bowler, Devendra Bishoo, in claiming the award. The off-spinner played in three Tests for the West Indies claiming 12 wickets at an average 31.50, while in the 15 ODIs he played in he claimed 28 wickets at an average of 18.82. 

Narine was the top choice of the 32-person voting academy, coming out ahead of Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal, Doug Bracewell of New Zealand and Australia’s James Pattinson. 

In Sri Lanka as part of the West Indies ICC World Twenty20 squad, he said upon receiving the award: “We’ve a good junior set-up so hopefully the awards keep coming for us. I think this has been the best 12 months for me and I just keep adapting the best as possible. Hopefully I can keep going the best I can and keep competing for the West Indies. 

“I need to digest this and this one step at time and enjoy every minute that I play. This award means a lot for me and it’s an encouragement to keep going and continue to improve. I dedicate this award to my father who kept pushing me, who took me to the Queen’s Park Oval regularly and told me I would have my moment and I’d like to thank him for his help and all my family who support me.”

The ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award was one of the 11 individual prizes given at this year’s LG ICC Awards. Players eligible for this award must be under 26 years of age at the start of the voting period (4 August 2011) and have played no more than five Test matches and/or 10 ODIs before the start of the voting period. Previous winners of this award include Irfan Pathan (2004), Kevin Pietersen (2005), Ian Bell (2006). Shaun Tait (2007), Ajantha Mendis (2008), Peter Siddle (2009), Steven Finn (2010) and Devendra Bishoo (2011).

Based on the period between 4 August 2011 and 6 August 2012, the LG ICC Awards 2012 take into account performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the game. 

For all the individual awards (with the exceptions of the Spirit of Cricket Award and the Umpire of the Year), a long-list compiled by the selection panel was forwarded to a 32-person Voting Academy made up of former players, respected members of the media, an elite umpire and an elite match referee. They voted on a three, two, one basis (with three being the highest value) and the winners emerged.

That period includes such high-profile events as the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 held in the UAE, the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Bangladesh in 2011, various rounds of the ICC Intercontinental Cup, as well as numerous Pepsi ICC World Cricket League and Championship fixtures, plus several bilateral Test and ODI series.

The LG ICC Awards ceremony is now in its ninth year and this year it will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Previous ceremonies were held in London (2004 and 2011), Sydney (2005), Mumbai (2006), Johannesburg (2007 and 2009), Dubai (2008) and Bengaluru (2010).

source: Indian News

          Wikipedia

Usain Bolt Vows Not to Compete in Britain Until Tax Laws Change

Jamaican Track Star and Olympic Champion 2012
Usian Bolt

The most decorated track star Usain Bolt have sounded his objection against harsh taxes by Britain.  Usain Bolt's  management , stated that the triple gold medalist (London 2012) would not take part in track events within Britain until her Majesty changes those punitive Tax laws. Usain  was asked by the media in London, why he doesn't compete in the U.K. more often.  he stated"As soon as the law changes I'll be here all the time." 

Usian Bolt is Jamaican's first 100 meter men's gold medalist, Current World Recorded holder, Current Olympic champion and Olympic Record holder, 200 meter Olympic Gold medal champion and 4x100  relay Olympic Gold medalist as well, and as such racks in a hefty sum annually. 

The British government has granted an exemption to income linked to Olympic and Paralympic competition. But normally Britain takes a cut of an athlete's worldwide endorsement earnings—that means overseas sponsors in addition to those in the U.K.—proportional to the time spent in Britain. By comparison, the U.S. only taxes nonresident athletes on endorsement fees paid by American sponsors. France does the same.

So if in a given year Mr. Bolt ran in ten races, one of which was in Britain, Her Majesty's government could collect income tax on one-tenth of his total income from sponsorships. Mr. Bolt's contract with Puma alone is worth $9 million annually. After his winnings at the London Olympics Mr. Bolt is set to double his endorsement earnings.  Currently the 25-year-old is already the highest-paid Olympian - outside of basketball and tennis - which featured at this year Games with estimated earnings of 20.3 million over the past year, according to US business magazine Forbes in a report last month.

Mr. Bolt isn't the only star athlete with a knotty relationship with U.K. tax law. In 2006, tennis champion Andre Agassi lost a legal battle to avoid paying U.K. income tax on endorsement deals with overseas sponsors. Rafael Nadal excused himself from this year's Aegon Championships, the traditional warm-up to Wimbledon, on fiscal grounds: "I am playing in the U.K. and losing money. I did a lot more for the last four years, but it is more and more difficult to play in the U.K." Mr. Nadal competed in the Gerry Weber Open in Germany instead. 

Superstars like  Bolt, Messrs, and Nadal can tailor their professional schedules to maximize earnings without risking damage to their fame or competitive standing. So the best athletes stay out of U.K. competitions, the events have less popular appeal, fewer people attend, and the country forfeits both the economic activity and the tax revenue. The lesson is that taxes influence behavior, and punitive taxation hurts everyone.

Keshorn Walcott Welcome Home:- Receives Trini Goodies

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar have Officially welcome home Keshorn Walcott, Gold Medalist in the Men's Javelin London 2012. A jubilant young man was all smiled as the massive crowd gathered at the Piarco Airport to welcome him. 

The Prime Minister presented him with a replica  plane of Caribbean Airlines and then announced that he would receive among other things:

1. Renaming of the Toco Light house to Keshorn Walcott light house

2. Twenty thousand (20000) sq ft of land in his hometown

3. 1 Million in cash

4. A House in Federation Park
5. An open scholarship to the University of Trinidad and Tobago

Olympic Monitor: Lalonde Flash Gordon Wins T&T's First Medal in London 2012

Lolonde Gordon, Mens 400m Bronze Medallist

With an Impressive show at the London 2012 Olympics, Lalonde Gordon ran another personal best to grab Tobago's first ever Olympics Medal. Gordon claimed bronze in the Men's 400m Final as he got to the line in 43.52, he was behind Grenadian Kirani James (43.94) and Dominican Republic's Luguelin Santos (44.46). James is the first ever Olympic medallist from Grenada.

Lalonde Gordon, who hails from Lowlands Tobago, migrated at 2 years and currently lives in the United States. Considered an underdog, Gordon shocked the entire nation with his stunning performance, sending the entire country in jubilation as T&T was desperate to continue the medal streak  at the Olympics since Ato Bolton winnings in 1996.

Meanwhile, Grenada would be ecstatic as they have now engrave their names in Olympic history. James just only 19 years old won Grenada's first and only medal at an Olympics, and what a way to do it by producing Gold. He is now the 10th man to run sub 44 in the mens 400m.  James short for words, couldn't quantify how his people would be feeling. He stated “What this means to my country, right now, I can’t explain,” except to say that the whole country will be going crazy.” 

History for Tobago, and History for Grenada, two small islands that would be flowing with pride and joy on the return of each athlete. 

Congratulations is extended to all the athletes who ran in the mens 400's. But special Congratulations to the 'Man of the Day' Lalonde Gordon, you did Trinidad and Tobago proud, but I cannot quantify the joy of all Tobagonians who have waited years for this day. We have produced a world class athlete, and you have placed us not only on the map but also down in history. Congratulations We are proud of you. Tobago is Proud of you. 

Olympic Monitor: Thompson 7th , Usian Bolt Runs New Olympic Record

In one of the most electrifying race of all time, the 100 meter Finals at the London Olympics did not fail to feature the 'Top Guns'. Lineing up were Usian Bolt, Tyson Gay, Asapa Powell, Justing Gatling, Yohan Blake, Ryan Bailey, Churandy Martina and our very own Richard Thompson. However, Bolt outraced his opponents, winning in an Olympic-record 9.63 seconds crushing his own 9.68 set back in 2008 Beijing Games. Yohan Blake’s cupped silver in  9.75, while the United States sprinter Justin Gatlin grabbed bronze in  9.79.

Trinidad and Tobago's silver medalist 2008 Richard Thompson could only place 7th with a 9.98 in front of an "injured" Asafa Powell of Jamaica clocking 11.99.

There could be no stopping the King of track, Bolt emphatically confirmed his status, ans set his name above all as the greatest sprinter in history as he retained his Olympic 100m title in peerless fashion.

Making history again he now holds the three fastest times in the 100 meters. Bolt in an interview stated "I was happy when I went out in the first round, I felt I could do this. I was slightly worried about my start. I didn't want to false start again so I sat in the blocks a little bit.
"It wasn't the best reaction in the world but I executed it and that was the key. My coach said 'stop worrying about the start because the best part of your race is the end'. It worked.
"I said it on the track, people can talk, but when it comes to championships it is all about business for me and I brought it. It was wonderful. I knew [the crowd] would be like this, I can feel that energy and I am extremely happy."

Its seems that there is no stopping this superman. For Trinidad and Tobago its back to the drawing board. We salute our athletes for their enormous efforts and we join in the celebration of our Caribbean brothers.

All Hail the King of Track, Usian Lightening Bolt.

Olympic Monitor: 6th Place for Kelly Ann Baptiste

Although Kelly Ann produced the best ever Olympic performance by a woman athlete from Trinidad and Tobago, it was not enough to capture gold as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce wouldn't have it any other way than to ensure the Gold medal stays in Jamaica. 

A golden ribbon in her hair, the bubbly Jamaican made it back-to-back Olympic titles in the women's 100 meters Saturday night, closing ground over the last 20 meters and leaning at the line to win in 10.75 seconds and edge American Carmelita Jeter by .03 seconds.

Fraser-Pryce became the first woman to repeat in the 100 since Gail Devers of the U.S. in 1992 and 1996. 

Trinidad and Tobago's sprinter, Kelly Ann Baptiste stated that "everything happens for a reason," applauding Shelly Ann Fraser.  "It just shows what champions are made of. To be able to win successive Olympic titles, that's no easy feat. Hats off to her." said Baptiste. 

Running out of lane two, it was difficult for Baptiste to keep pace with the championship leaders. Stating that she could do better, Baptiste tried hard to contain her self, stating that 'I know I'm a better athlete". 

Semoy Hackett, another Trinidad and Tobago sprinter was unable to reproduce her personal best 11.04 seconds clocking from round one,finishing fifth in the opening semifinal heat in 11.26.

"The race wasn't properly distributed," she told the Sunday Express.

"At ten metres I felt I was too low. I felt I was going to fall, so I tried to get up and sprint to catch the pack. It was not as good as I wanted the race to be. I was satisfied with the 11.04 from (Friday), and I was trying to execute this race the same way, but unfortunately I didn't do it.

"I'm trying to make the final for the 200," Hackett continued, "hopefully medal, and then go on to the relay."

Michelle-Lee Ahye also bowed out in the semifinal round of the 100m dash, the 20-year-old T&T athlete finishing eighth in semifinal number three in 11.32 seconds.

"My first Olympics…I'm young. So I'm not really worried. Bigger and better things for Worlds."

Baptiste is also hoping for an improved performance at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

"I have a lot to prove to myself. The battle is within me and my abilities, and what I think I'm capable of. World Championships next year, that's my aim," Baptiste ended. "I'm just going to keep on working harder."