Messages

61

Cricket Anyone / Re: Red Force vs Chenai in Delhi 10:30am T&T time . Its rumble time.

« on: October 02, 2013, 10:44:13 AM »

60-0 after 9 overs. 59 to win from 66 balls. Do we make a run for the 17.4 or just focus on getting the win? The Royals have won 12 in a row at home, but I think this team will beat anyone in this competition on a given day.

62

Cricket Anyone / Re: Red Force vs Chenai in Delhi 10:30am T&T time . Its rumble time.

« on: October 02, 2013, 09:37:43 AM »

The tournament situation dictates that we must chase to give ourselves the best chance, but the thought of it makes me nervous still. We are in a decent position, but Narine only has one more over. This may be the last T20 match of the Red Force, so I'm sad and nervous all at the same time. I still think we can win, but my goodness the pressure. 

63

Cricket Anyone / Re: Langer hopes one of his spinners will get Sachin Tendulkar out cheaply

« on: October 02, 2013, 08:48:51 AM »

Didn't do them much good though as they were blown out.

64

Cricket Anyone / Re: Titans sv Trinidad & Tobago

« on: October 01, 2013, 08:06:13 PM »

Big Picture
It's easy, if Trinidad & Tobago beat Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday, they qualify for the semi-finals. If they don't they will be tied on points with the Titans. T&T are ahead of the Titans on net run-rate, but it is only a marginal advantage. For instance, if they bat first and score around 125, or more, they need to lose with three or lesser balls to spare to qualify. In other words, they should make Super Kings play at least 19.3 overs, or the Titans will go through.
If T&T are chasing, they need to make sure they lose by five or lesser runs to qualify.

The margins are slim, that massive defeat talk is indeed inaccurate. Lack of proper research as usual. To me that just means we must win. Talk done!

65

Other Sports / Re: Field Hockey: Pan Am Cup - Women

« on: October 01, 2013, 07:58:10 PM »

A decent performance I think, but meaningless if these girls don't play more international matches in between competition time.

66

Football / Re: Medical Staff at Pro League Clubs

« on: October 01, 2013, 07:56:40 PM »

Akeem Adams suffered a heart attack in his home though so if this happened here I don't think ambulances or defibrillators at the sporting venue would have helped him. Does our emergency system here respond quickly enough and provide sufficient medical care to keep someone in his situation alive until a doctor can take over? I doubt it.

I don't see how Skeene is supposed to know what equipment an ambulance has and I'm not sure why he has to. What is alarming about him saying it? Can anyone else on this board say for certainty whether or not there is a defibrillator on most local ambulances? He knows the ambulances are supposed to be dispatched at the venue, he stated the league policy on providing medical professionals and he also stated the penalty for not complying. What allyuh want the man to do again?

I think there is a systematic / cultural problem as it pertains to emergency medical response in this country. Making Skeene a scapegoat will not change that. Someone made the point about defibrillators and oxygen being made available not only at stadia across the country, but in malls too. What about in schools, ministry buildings and other public buildings? It needs to improve.

67

Cricket Anyone / Re: Trinidad and Tobago vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - CLT20 (24/9/13)

« on: September 24, 2013, 12:52:06 PM »

I find it hard to blame Ramdin. Emrit was given a job to do and he didn't do it, that's not the captain's fault. I wouldn't blame Emrit either because we soaked up dot balls in the death of our innings which I think cost us. A couple dropped catches and bowling mistakes too. Both teams made a couple errors, but in the end Hyderabad were a little bit better. That happens in sports.

68

Cricket Anyone / Re: Trinidad and Tobago vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - CLT20 (24/9/13)

« on: September 24, 2013, 12:23:08 PM »

23 runs in that over? It will take a big effort for us to win it from here.

69

Cricket Anyone / Re: Trinidad and Tobago vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - CLT20 (24/9/13)

« on: September 24, 2013, 11:49:59 AM »

11 overs down and they are 78-3. We are well placed I think, especially with Dhawan out. However, Perera and Sammy are dangerous hitters too so it's not over yet.

70

Cricket Anyone / Re: Trinidad and Tobago vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - CLT20 (24/9/13)

« on: September 24, 2013, 10:47:10 AM »

Stewart soaked up quite a few dot balls. The 19th over ended with 12 runs and his 3 balls faced were dots. We ended up on 160/8, but I suspect we could've squeezed another 8 or 10 runs with smarter batting. We have something to defend though. Game on.

71

Cricket Anyone / Re: Trinidad and Tobago vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - CLT20 (24/9/13)

« on: September 24, 2013, 10:35:10 AM »

some poor fielding by Sunrisers. Not that I'm complaining

Ent! As long as we get it ah happy.

72

Cricket Anyone / Re: Trinidad and Tobago vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - CLT20 (24/9/13)

« on: September 24, 2013, 10:27:09 AM »

It's not Pooran alone though. Mohammed and now Stewart also struggling to hit cleanly. I know this last one went for 6, but you don't get the feeling he has control of what he's doing. 132/6 after 17.

73

Cricket Anyone / Re: Trinidad and Tobago vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - CLT20 (24/9/13)

« on: September 24, 2013, 10:25:25 AM »

Here we go again. Giving away wickets in search of runs. I know the charge must come, but I feel the shot selection can get better.

74

Other Sports / Re: Field Hockey: Pan Am Cup - Women

« on: September 24, 2013, 10:20:59 AM »

That result against Argentina was not a disgrace. Argentina's women are ranked #2 in the world. USA at #10 and Chile at #18 are the next Pan Am teams in the ranking and they are in the other group. Canada are ranked #23 while we are #26. This team is the least experienced team we've had recently, which is saying something since we've not had anything close to full strength in years, and the coach will be shown up since he doesn't have the talent available as he did with the men. I would consider the tournament a success if the women finish 6th, but I feel like there's a mentality in the hockey community that to compete means you play open attacking hockey, rather than with a responsible, well structured approach. Today is Canada, so we'll see how they do. Good luck to them.

75

Football / Re: Stephen Hart on local football and what Point can teach national fans

« on: September 24, 2013, 10:08:50 AM »

So simple it's complicated. Well said, coach.

76

Cricket Anyone / Re: Trinidad and Tobago vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - CLT20 (24/9/13)

« on: September 24, 2013, 09:40:27 AM »

56-2 after 7. Pretty good scoring rate, let's hope they can keep wickets in hand for a late charge.

77

Football / Re: 2013 Secondary Schools Football League Thread.

« on: September 16, 2013, 09:48:31 AM »

Saints have 12 points from three games.

Dey really playing good boy! 

Playing so well that they're earning bonus points for a win. 

78

Cricket Anyone / Re: West Indies now ranked 5th in Test

« on: September 14, 2013, 11:44:58 PM »

Our recent results have been good... 6 wins in a row, but none of those were against any top team. Still, we have to beat who we play so it's India next to see if we stay in 5th.

79

Cricket Anyone / Re: Champions League T20 Thread 2013

« on: September 14, 2013, 11:42:22 PM »

I agree with Qmire up to a point. I wouldn't say zero batting, but we are looking thin in that department. Plus, we have the live wire, what we missing is the steady consistent performer. Our last time in the tournament itself (not the qualifiers) it was the bowling that made us dangerous. Hopefully that will be good enough to make it interesting. We won't be seeing Red Force in T20 cricket after this competition. They better make it count.

80

Football / Re: Large crowd as Central and Point Fortin make flying Pro League starts

« on: September 14, 2013, 11:32:24 PM »

I made the time to go to a couple games last season. Hopefully I'll have more time this season to go matches again. The quality of the football is decent and for $20 to $30 it is pretty good value. I think marketing for the games can be improved though and unless it's been fixed the website doesn't give all the info.

81

Other Sports / Re: World Junior Swimming Championships

« on: September 11, 2013, 09:01:36 PM »

Bring on the Commonwealth Games then. 

82

Other Sports / Re: Field Hockey: Pan Am Cup

« on: September 11, 2013, 08:54:22 PM »

Rockets and Malvern were the glamour teams in the late 70s early 80s in women's and men's hockey. T&T has still yet to beat either Canada or Argentina in men's hockey as far as I am aware. My mother played for Rockets so I'll ask about the Pan Am club championship. I remember hearing about their participation in the tournament. I also remember her speaking about the World Championship, but I don't know where they placed. The U-21 girls (captained by Stacey Sui Butt) won a silver medal in the Junior Pan Am Championships in '91 and went on to play in the Junior World Cup in '92.

There are no hockey clubs based in the east, but since it is only QPCC, Malvern and Magnolias with an actual clubhouse location it's not like the teams are centrally located anywhere. Lots of players hail from the east, central, south and Tobago. I think we've suffered more from not keeping up the game on a couple decent grass fields in the POS area than the hockey centre being in Tacarigua. The top field in CIC Grounds is a good location as well.

83

Football / Re: The changing Mr. Jones

« on: September 11, 2013, 08:33:03 PM »

He scored 5 goals in his first 50 games for T&T and now he's on 12 from 57. He really had no where to go, but up. Let's hope we see a bit more.

84

Football / Re: 2013 Secondary Schools Football League Thread.

« on: September 11, 2013, 08:22:52 PM »

Jumping into the development conversation. The US professional sport system is fed, in the main, by their schools (particularly colleges & universities). Europe on the other hand uses youth academies to develop their future professional athletes. I think that our current system is more suitable to the European model so our focus should be on a combination of having current clubs with youth teams develop their youth players more along the lines of an academy. Pay more attention to nutrition, other off field habits, tactical training (board work) and even social skills.

I was at the Fatima-CIC game this afternoon. I got there as CIC was kicking off after conceding a third goal (score 1-3). The score remain unchanged at halftime. The intensity of the match was good and it looked like a rivalry game, but neither team looked dangerous on attack. The long ball was a preferred tactic by both teams and there was little in the way of ball possession and cutting through balls for wingers to run on to. I was surprised to see the Fatima goalkeeper time wasting in the first half and Fatima's captain (Creed?) at one point shouted at a spectator to let a ball pass rather than keeping it close to field. Fatima did look the stronger of the two teams though going into the half.

The second half got off to a spectacular start when a CIC long ball that went over the Fatima defence and a hesitant keeper ended up getting lobbed to make the game 3-2. Fatima got even more negative with more players joining in the time wasting tactic. I think that cost them because it allowed CIC the attacking initiative and the belief that they could come back. For all that though they lacked attacking creativity and didn't threaten their opponents goal. Fatima managed a couple of counter attacks, but their players (#11 comes to mind) dribbled until closed down, tried a lob pass that gave the defender time to get back and tackle or on one occasion got off a weak shot that went wide. The same #11 got into a "discussion" with an opponent and at one point shouted "grow a brain" to the guy. I wonder what he was using his brain for when he elbowed the CIC captain (#13) later in the game for the majority of the ground to see (you should have heard the groan from a Fatima supporter next to me) and received a red card for his work. A CIC left side attack ended up with the winger cutting in field and shooting to the last post. The keeper's parry ended up in the path of an attacker who slotted home the equaliser. Then with the last kick of the game, a right side freekick was well met by an attacker who headed just inside the near post for a dramatic winner. The sideline celebrations even saw a fight, although I was on the other side of the field to see what happened. Truth be told, squabbles of entitled teenagers hold no interest for me. By the end of the match CIC was the better team and deserved to win, but I feel that Fatima did themselves no favours by being so negative as early as the first half.

The game itself had a lot of energy, but little in terms of consistent, thoughtful football. Creed stood out as the best player for Fatima, but a couple of others looked like they needed some gym time. #10 (a midfielder), #13 (captain and centre back) and #2 (left back) stood for CIC and they had a sub (#12) give them some intensity too. I also found the game remarkably quiet from a spectator stand point. Only the Fatima students were singing throughout the match and for such a rivalry I remember a lot more noise being the order of the day, even from the losing team. The Saints guys were plenty excited when the equaliser and winner came though.

85

Cricket Anyone / Re: Dates and location for each game.

« on: August 17, 2013, 10:23:59 PM »

Telling people what to do is take too much effort. I does just delete your post outright. 

I only semi joking, a few yrs ago certain people were deliberately trolling. Didn't make point tolerating them. Since they overs, peaceful cricket forum. 

Peaceful? *sigh* Like I have to go back into retirement again. 

86

Cricket Anyone / Re: Caribbean Premier League Thread.

« on: August 17, 2013, 10:14:49 PM »

yuh think Trident easier...?

I rather we just get ready for d semi final.... and not get any injuries...

You're right in that none of the semi-final match ups will be easy. However, Narine, Malinga and Santokie bowling with Simmons, Guptil (if his injury isn't serious) and Franklyn make for a potentially more difficult match than an out of form Tridents. Except for the Tridents and the Zouks all the other teams have gotten better as the tournament has progressed. It's a knock out now and anything can happen on a day so as you said it's better to just get ready to play in the semis injury free.

87

Other Sports / Re: Field Hockey: Pan Am Cup

« on: August 17, 2013, 10:01:24 PM »

Beat the USA 3-1 to claim 3rd

 

Me eh know much about hockey but seems to me, third best on the continent eh so bad.
Too bad the football team cah emulate this. 

It is a very good performance. At the Pan American level hockey has only won one medal previously, a silver medal in the 1967 Pan American Games. We have placed in the top 4 on 2 other occassions and placed 7th in the 2011 Pan American Games. The women have placed 4th on three different locations, but have never won a medal at the Pan Am level. This was also a special achievement given that the team did not even know if they would participate in the tournament because of a lack of funding and on Saturday, the day of their first scheduled match (later rescheduled), they had a grand total of 9 players in Canada.

We have never beaten Argentina and one has to look back a few years well to find the last time we conceded less than 8 from them in a tournament. And the Canada game was lost 3-1, not 3-0. I am proud of what the guys have accomplished.

88

Cricket Anyone / Re: CPLT20 2013 - T&T Red Steel vs Antigua Hawkbills (11/8/13)

« on: August 11, 2013, 10:43:29 PM »

Two wins in a row now. We're still giving away too many easy runs, but we also have to acknowledge some quality hitting as well. We could be more clinical, but at least there's been improvement each of the last 3 games. Two more tricky matches against the Zouks and the Tallawahs, but the semi-finals are a definite possibility.

Yeah it was a bit closer than we would like, but we've already demonstrated how easy it is to lose matches.

89

Cricket Anyone / Re: CPLT20 2013 - T&T Red Steel vs Guyana Amazon Warriors (9/8/13)

« on: August 11, 2013, 10:32:02 PM »

We should have won by 9 runs but we were robbed of a big six by the umpires calling it a dead ball.It is a dead ball if it affects the bowler in his run up to bowl but he Permaul didn't even see what had happened so it could not have affected what he did.The cap fell out behind Ramdin's backside and did not affect anybody,what stupid umpiring.We almost lost the match because of that it was nice to see Taylor smack the next one for 6,match winning moment there.

I know I late, but BEFORE the ball was bowled Nero (the square leg umpire) was already signalling dead ball plus Ramdin was also waving at the bowler to stop bowling. Another point to note, both umpires are the presiding umpire. For example, the umpire at the non-striker's end cannot rule on a stumping yet we would call him the "presiding" umpire. The square leg (or striker's end) umpire also can rule on no balls for height, limitation of on side fielders (or in limited overs cricket the field restrictions) or position of the wicket-keeper.

90

Cricket Anyone / Re: Caribbean Premier League Thread.

« on: August 11, 2013, 10:17:23 PM »

St Lucia Zouks 92 (17.5/20 ov)
Barbados Tridents won by 83 runs

Time to ask: Pollard vs Bravo as captain?

If Pollard had stayed playing with the Tridents would we even be asking that as a question? People talking about getting leftovers but it was the Bravos, Cooper and Ross Taylor letting us down initially. With the exception of Dwayne Bravo and Ross Taylor, no other player was assigned or selected for us. A selection committee consisting of Red Steel players and coaches selected the remaining 13 players on the roster. Even if we picked last in each round of selection how do we explain that Emrit, Simmons, Gabriel, Rampaul (I know he was eventually injured), Tadpole and about half dozen other Trinis (not counting the U-23s) did NOT end up in the squad? How come Guillen still getting pick yet no Lewis or Jason Mohammed?

Look at the difference in our performances when Taylor, O'Brien, Cooper and the Bravos do well. We have a decent team and we've competed well except for the Tridents game. As the tournament has progressed we have improved. Anyone remember that all Trini team that lost the regional ODI final after playing undefeated until then? When our better players, respected in T20 world wide, don't pull their weight the results will not be that good. Which Trini players outside of the Red Steel roster have lit up the competition besides Simmons and Pollard? Emrit has been good, but irreplaceable to our cause? Ramdin has done what? Narine? Guptil, Franklyn, Hafeez, Malik, Nurse, Hyatt and Russell to name a few good performers in the competition.

We really need to get over ourselves and enjoy what has been an entertaining competition. We may well win the competition still, Tridents may not even make the final, you never know.