The West Indies T20I squad faces both setbacks and gains in their ongoing series against England. Star pacer Alzarri Joseph has returned from suspension to rejoin the team, replacing Shamar Joseph, while power-hitter Andre Russell will miss the remainder of the series due to a left ankle sprain, with Shamar Springer called in as his replacement. As England currently leads 2-0 in the five-match series, West Indies are left with no margin for error in their upcoming games in St Lucia.

Alzarri Joseph’s Return After Suspension

Alzarri Joseph’s brief absence was due to a two-match suspension following an on-field incident in the third ODI against England. Frustrated with field placements set by West Indies captain Shai Hope, Joseph walked off the field in protest, leaving the team one player short for part of the game. Joseph subsequently issued a public apology and reconciled with Hope, leading to his reinstatement. Now back with the squad, Joseph aims to bolster the West Indies bowling attack in the crucial remaining matches of the series.

Alzarri Joseph’s return adds strength to the West Indies’ bowling lineup just in time for the remainder of their T20I series against England. Joseph, who missed the last two matches due to a suspension, rejoins the squad after mending relations with captain Shai Hope. His suspension followed a controversial moment in the third ODI, where, in frustration with field placements, he briefly left the field, leaving West Indies with only ten players. Joseph later apologized, which cleared the way for his reentry into the squad. His return is a boost to the West Indies, who now need to win each of the remaining three T20I matches to keep their series hopes alive.

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Andre Russell Sidelined, Shamar Springer Joins the Squad

Andre Russell’s exit due to a left ankle sprain is a significant setback for the West Indies team, as his power-hitting and experience are vital in the T20 format. Shamar Springer has been called up to replace Russell, bringing a fresh energy to the side. Russell’s injury comes at a challenging moment, with the team in a must-win situation for the remaining games.

Meanwhile, West Indies were dealt a blow with Andre Russell’s injury ruling him out for the series’ duration. Russell, a key figure for the team, suffered a left ankle sprain and will be replaced by Shamar Springer, who brings additional agility and youthful spirit to the team. The timing of Russell’s injury is unfortunate, as his experience would have been crucial in these pressure-filled matches.

The remaining matches, scheduled in St Lucia on November 14, 16, and 17, are critical for West Indies to keep their series hopes alive after England’s early 2-0 lead. With Alzarri Joseph’s return

In a dramatic turn of events, West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph stormed off the field after a heated exchange with captain Shai Hope during the third ODI against England at Kensington Oval on Wednesday. The on-field confrontation, triggered by disagreements over field placements, captivated fans and sparked discussions across the cricketing world. However, the tension on the field didn’t deter the West Indies team as they secured an impressive eight-wicket victory over England to claim the series.

Joseph’s walk-off adds drama to the decider

The clash between Alzarri Joseph and Shai Hope unfolded in the fourth over of England’s innings, catching spectators and players alike by surprise. Joseph, who had just bowled a wicket-maiden, displayed visible frustration with Hope’s field settings. Animated gestures and an intense exchange quickly escalated, leading Joseph to leave the field momentarily. His walk-off left the West Indies with only ten players for an over, with Joseph seen discussing the matter with teammate Hayden Walsh on the sidelines.

The incident raised eyebrows and became a focal point of discussion, highlighting the intense emotions running high within the team during the decider. Nevertheless, Joseph returned to the field shortly afterward, resuming his role in a match that would end with a triumphant outcome for the West Indies.

Amidst the drama, West Indies openers Brandon King and Keacy Carty displayed remarkable skill, each scoring a century to chase down England’s total with ease. Chasing a target of 263, the duo formed an incredible 209-run partnership for the second wicket, solidifying West Indies' dominance. King scored 102 before being dismissed, while Carty remained unbeaten at 128, sealing the victory with a boundary. Their partnership not only made light of England’s challenging total but also highlighted their growing synergy and effectiveness in high-stakes matches.

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Earlier in the day, England faced a challenging start, falling to 24 for four as West Indies' bowlers capitalized on early weaknesses. Opener Phil Salt anchored the innings with a top score of 74, preventing a total collapse. Contributions from Sam Curran (40) and Dan Mousley (57) provided support, allowing England to reach a respectable 263. However, the West Indies bowling unit, led by Matthew Forde with three for 35, held England in check.

Gets angry! 😡
Bowls a wicket maiden 👊
Leaves 🤯

An eventful start to the game for Alzarri Joseph! 😬#WIvENGonFanCode pic.twitter.com/2OXbk0VxWt

— FanCode (@FanCode) November 6, 2024

West Indies’ winning streak and future prospects

The series win marks West Indies' second consecutive ODI triumph over England on Caribbean soil, following their victory 11 months prior. With personnel changes expected in both teams for the upcoming T20 International series, the West Indies squad will be looking to carry forward their winning momentum into the shorter format, with hopes of achieving another series win at home.

The five-match T20 series begins this weekend in Barbados, where West Indies fans eagerly await to see if the team’s recent success can transition into continued dominance.

England opener Ben Duckett made history with the fastest fifty by an England player in Tests. He achieved this remarkable feat in just 32 balls during the 2nd Test against West Indies at Nottingham, showcasing his exceptional skill and talent.

In the 10th over, Jason Holder bowled a good length delivery. Duckett opened the face of his bat and guided it perfectly past the gully fielder for a boundary. This shot marked his 11th boundary of the innings, bringing up his fifty in style.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, their cheers echoing throughout the stadium as they celebrated Duckett’s historic achievement.

Duckett eventually got out for 71 runs off 59 balls by Shamar Joseph in the 19th over, with England at 105 for 2. He lost his opening partner, Zak Crawley in the first over when Alzarri Joseph bowled him out for a duck after the West Indies chose to bowl first in Nottingham.

Fastest team fifties in Test cricket by overs

4.2 overs – England vs West Indies (today)

4.3 overs – England vs South Africa in 1994

4.6 overs – England vs Sri Lanka in 2002

5.2 Overs – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in 2004

Fastest Test fifties for England by balls

28 – Ian Botham vs India, 1981

30 – Jonny Bairstow vs New Zealand, 2022

32 – Ben Duckett vs West Indies, 2024

32 – Ian Botham vs New Zealand, 1986

West Indies captain Rovman Powell won the toss and opted to bowl first against Papua New Guinea in the opening Group C match of the T20 World Cup at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday.

Papua New Guinea posted 136/8 in their T20 World Cup opener vs West Indies in Georgetown, on Sunday. Andre Russell and Alzarri Joseph bagged two-wicket hauls respectively as West Indies dominated in the first innings. Meanwhile, Sese Bau got a half-century, slamming 50 off 43 balls. Although they are two-time world champions, West Indies have dwindled in terms of their performance in ICC tournaments lately. But this time, they look strong and could be set for redemption. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea is weak on paper, compared to the Windies, and also have an aging squad.

Sese Bau falls after fifty as PNG’s slide continues

But with experience, they could spring a surprise or two. Speaking ahead of the match, Windies captain Rovman Powell said, “If Andre Russell rocks up for any international team, you would definitely slot him within the team. That is no surprise to see Andre automatically slot into our team.

He comes with a wealth of experience and the good thing is he comes with additional confidence on the back of good performances in the IPL. We are definitely looking forward to Andre Russell being a significant part of our World Cup and hopefully, he can be a three-time World Cup champion after this.”

Meanwhile, PNG skipper Assad Vala said, “It means a lot to be playing amongst the best 20 teams in the world. We are going into games trying to win. We just don’t want to go out there and play for the sake of playing. As we are here to play the best cricket we can and the brand of cricket we know we can play.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face Mumbai Indians on April 2 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to begin their Indian Premier League 2023 season. Faf du Plessis, the former Proteas captain, will return to lead the franchise. The team appears formidable, and this year’s auction yielded fascinating purchases.

As the IPL returns to its classic home and away game structure, supporters will be ready to give the city of Bengaluru the dose of cricket energy. With a robust lineup and intriguing picks from the auction, here are the top four players from the Red & Blue squad to check out. 

Virat Kohli

No wonder why the King is synonymous with RCB. Ever since the franchise’s inception, the evolution of the Delhite right-hand batter has started. His pure class intent and dedication to the franchise were pivotal to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successes.

Though the franchise had their own downs, Kohli’s loyalty could be the highlight of all. Over his 237-match IPL stint with the RCB, Kohli has made 7263 runs with over 50 fifties and seven centuries, making him the tournament’s leading run-scorer, and there is no sign of stoppage from his end.

Glenn Maxwell 

Glenn Maxwell will be one of the most potent attackers in the IPL 2024. The all-rounder is capable of doing anything on the pitch. He bowlers in the powerplay and middle overs, fields everywhere, takes catches, and few batsmen can match his abilities.

Especially after his flawless performance in the ICC CWC 2023 on Indian soil, when he delivered some outstanding cricketing performances. Known for his unconventional shots, it’s no surprise that he hammered the ball over the stands of Chinnaswamy Stadium. In 124 IPL encounters, he has scored 2719 runs and collected 31 wickets. 

Cameron Green

Spending more than INR 17 crores for a player demonstrates how much RCB values Cameron Green for his all-round abilities. The Australian all-rounder might improve the franchise’s fortunes in the IPL 2024. He is a top-order batsman who can bowl with new and old balls, making him an excellent choice for the team’s all-rounder role.

Cameron Green is the latest Faf du Plessis, Kohli, Patidar, and Maxwell group member. Despite a promising start of 452 runs and six wickets in 16 matches, he is primed to add to the pyrotechnics by using his striking skills and impressing. 

See also: IPL 2024: Best Playing XI for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Post Mini Auction

Alzarri Joseph

Alzarri Joseph’s signing by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 11.50 crore is a significant addition to the team’s bowling lineup. With Mohammad Siraj as their primary experienced international-level bowler, the addition of Alzarri Joseph strengthens their bowling assault.

Joseph’s ability to bowl quickly and take crucial wickets makes him a significant asset for RCB. The high price demonstrates the team’s desire to acquire a formidable fast bowler. Though his stats of 20 wickets in 19 matches are unimpressive, he can unleash his X-factor for the Men in Red and Blue. 

West Indies are sliding badly in white-ball cricket and are probably at their lowest point at the moment. Based on recent form they may not seem like a match for India, but their Test record has been pretty decent in fact. In their last five series, West Indies have only lost one and to make sure the West Indies rise again, they will look at who can turn the tables on the Indian Team from the following.

Kemar Roach

Kemar Roach, at 35 years, continues to get better. He knows how to control the new-ball well, and while he has dropped down on pace the control he provides is incredible. His numbers at home, on the dry and dead West Indies tracks are even better making him a pretty effective leader of the attack.

Jason Holder

Jason Holder is one of the superstars in the line-up, although he often flies under the radar. He will be coming in a little devastated given his performances in the Qualifiers, particularly in the super over against Netherlands where he gave 30 runs. With the Test side though, Jason Holder provides control with the old ball, something most pacers do not like to bowl with. Despite not having much pace, his height to allows him to get awkward bounce making him all the more effective with the older ball.

Alzarri Joseph

Alzarri Joseph has been the enforcer and trump card of this attack. He was their go to bowler on a tough tour of Australia and his pace can be discomforting for batters. With the ability to touch the 150kph mark with ease, Alzarri Joseph has the raw pace to rattle batters and a mean bouncer which has helped him pick more than half of his wickets in the last four years.

Jermaine Blackwood

Jermaine Blackwood isn’t a very known name yet in Test Cricket but he has silently been doing a fine job for West Indies. Known for his quick rate of scoring, Blackwood loves to keep the scoreboard ticking and can shift the momentum with ease in quick time.

Kraigg Brathwaite

Kraigg Brathwaite, like Dean Elgar and Dimuth Karunaratne, falls under the category of underrated and silent openers. He is one of the most stubborn openers going around and spends a really valuable amount of time out in the middle making life easier for the batters around him. Looking at his batting though leads to a contrast with the batter getting beaten and into the most awkward positions. His style though proves to be very effective which is why he is one of the best openers going around in Test Cricket today.