The ‘Underdogs’ – 29th May 2019
May 29, 2019
neil manthorp
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A lot of noise is usually made before big series and tournaments, like this one, about the importance – or otherwise – of being tagged the ‘favourite’. Most favourites instinctively deny the charge for fear of the consequential increase in expectations and the negative impact it may have on some of the nervier, less experienced […]
England in Caribbean – 1st March 2019
March 1, 2019
neil manthorp
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There was a moment towards the end of England’s innings during the fourth ODI when the West Indies had three deep mid-wicket fielders. Three fielders – all at deep mid-wicket. The thing is, they were neither tall enough nor enough of them. It was the first time I’d seen three deep mid-wickets, at least in […]
England in Caribbean – 28th February 2019
February 28, 2019
neil manthorp
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During our on-air cricketing discussions while Monday’s ODI was being wretchedly washed out David Lloyd reminded listeners that “back in the day” during England’s domestic, 40-over Sunday League, bowlers were limited to a 15-yard run-up. It was an excellent reminder of the extent to which administrators were prepared to go to speed the game up. […]
England in Caribbean – 26th February 2019
February 26, 2019
neil manthorp
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A grim day for England’s 8,000 traveling supporters and an even grimmer one for the Grenada Tourist Board which has done so much to welcome the influx of tourists and media. Mind you, everybody is still ON the island and it seems highly unlikely they spent any less money because of the washout – quite […]
England in Caribbean – 25th February 2019
February 25, 2019
neil manthorp
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There are direct flights between almost all islands in the Caribbean but seats are extremely limited. They cater for the normal, day-to-day demand but run out spectacularly quickly when an England cricket tour comes to the region. In order to secure a smooth passage in such times tickets need to be purchased moments after the […]
England in Caribbean – 23rd February 2019
February 23, 2019
neil manthorp
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There is still much to be done but the ‘real’ West Indian resurgence is officially underway after a number of false starts in recent years. The level of determined fight displayed during the second ODI hasn’t been since in a long time – at least, not at the death when the match seemed surely lost. […]
England in the Caribbean – 22nd February 2019
February 22, 2019
neil manthorp
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Believe it or not, Barbados still has plenty of ‘unexploited’ terrain. The east coast is completely different to the west coast with huge Atlantic waves crashing onto the beaches making for some dramatic walks and excellent surfing. The ocean on the west coast, by contrast, is calm enough to do surfboard yoga – as you […]
England in the Caribbean – 20th February 2019
February 20, 2019
neil manthorp
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The two pitches laid out for the 1st and 2nd ODIs look like ‘belters’. Devoid of any live grass, completely unlike the Test pitch, they appear to be purpose-built for run-scoring. Having said that, there has only been on 300+ total in the last 10 years at the Kensington Oval (by England) so who knows? […]
England in the Caribbean – 19th February 2019
February 19, 2019
neil manthorp
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The ‘Three Ws’ cricket ground has been slowly but beautifully created to reflect the history and celebrate the successes of West Indies cricket, and it has been done so to reflect the culture of the region rather than following the more ‘traditional’ concept of what a museum should look like. The ‘Walk of Fame’ is […]
England in the Caribbean – 18th February 2019
February 18, 2019
neil manthorp
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Despite the proud heritage of the ‘new Barbados’ which I described yesterday, there is still room for the ‘old colonial’ Barbados in today’s society, never more obvious than the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson which stands barely 100 yards in the centre of Bridgetown from the ‘Father of Independence’, Errol Walton Barrow. Nelson was a […]