THE WEST INDIES CRICKET TEAM

The West Indies cricket team is popularly known as The Windies and is the national cricket team of the country. This cricket team is represented by the sporting confederation of English speaking Caribbean countries. Generally the cricketing nations use their own national flags for representing their country. But since West Indies represents a number of independent and dependent states, there is no natural choice of the emblem. Therefore the West Indies Cricket Board has developed an insignia showing a palm tree and cricket stumps on a small sunny island. This insignia on a maroon background makes up the West Indian flag.
History
The West Indies Cricket team played its first test in 1928, and ever since has been one of the better sides in world cricket. From winning the first World Cup to West Indies Brian Lara being the only cricketer in history to get a score of 400 in international cricket, West Indies cricket has a lot to boast about.

After obtaining Test status in 1928, West Indies played their first Test against England the same year at the Lord’s cricket ground. They were a very dominating force in world cricket and with time their performance just kept getting better and better. In the mid 1970s and 1980s West Indies emerged as the best team in the world, in both forms of the game. However the team showed signs of decline in the late 1990s and unfortunately, the slump still continues.
Performance
The West Indies Cricket team gained immense popularity in the 1960s and with some immensely talented players in the side, the team kept on emerging victories on occasions after occasions. The team were especially strong in the 1980s when they won 11 consecutive tests. However West Indian cricket has shown a sharp decline in the 1990s and 2000s and the team has indeed lost its old glory. This is largely due to the economic crunch in the West Indies and also due to lack of interest in the game in the Caribbean.

Players
West Indies have always boated of having some of the greatest cricketers in the world. From the flamboyant Viv Richards, to the devastating Courtney Walsh and of course current hero Brian Lara, the team has never had a dearth of talent. In the current squad Brian Lara is the best player. He is even considered one of the best in the world and is capable of single handedly guiding the team to victory on his day. That apart , the team also has other brilliant batsman like Ramnaresh sarwan, Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Though the bowling department is a little weak, West Indies still have some talented bowlers like Jermaine Lawson, Tino Best and Corey Collymore.
Chances in the 2007 World Cup
Once upon a time West Indies were dictators in world cricket. The bowlers wrecked wickets as well as batsmen. The West Indies batsmen usually toyed with the opposition bowlers. The West Indies cricket has somewhat deteriorated from that position to the present level where the bowlers lack pace and direction and the batsmen lacking strong technique. Few players have still worked hard to show cricket the West Indies way. They know that they are two time world champions. West Indies will try to rise for the occasion in 2007 world cup.

THE SRI LANKAN CRICKET TEAM

Rajapaksa congratulates cricket team for Asia Cup win

Colombo (PTI): Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday lavished praise on young spinner Ajantha Mendis and veteran Sanath Jayasuriya while hailing the cricket team’s Asia Cup win in Pakistan.

In a congratulatory message to captain Mahela Jayawardene, Rajapakse lauded the team’s performance against India in Sunday night’s final in Karachi and retaining the title.

He observed that excellent team spirit, sportsmanship and fighting qualities were the key to their success and to bring glory to the country.

“By winning the Asia Cup for the fourth time you have proved that Sri Lanka remains a formidable force in cricket,” Rajapaksa said.

“Your success is an encouragement to all our sportsmen and sportswomen, and I wish you all success in the forthcoming series against India in Sri Lanka, and other important tournaments that lie ahead,” he said.

“I also send my special good wishes to young Ajantha Mendis for his magnificent bowling performance and to Sanath Jayasuriya for his continued achievements in batting, both of which helped steer Sri Lanka to this outstanding victory,” he added.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf also congratulated the Sri Lankan team on their achievement and praised the Asian Cricket Coucil for organising an excellent tournament that helped foster goodwill in the region.

BEST ALL-ROUNDERS
  When it comes to cricket, all rounders play a vital role behind the success of a team. An all-rounder is a cricket player who excels at both batting and bowling. Although all bowlers must bat, and most batsmen end up bowling occasionally, most players are skilled in only one of the two disciplines. Wicket-keepers who are also very good batsmen are considered by some to be all-rounders.

Here, we have made a list of the five greatest all rounders in test cricket. They played decisive role in the success of their teams. Some of them also captained their respective teams.
• S Pollock (South Africa)
• J Kallis (South Africa)
• C H Gayle (West Indies)
• A Flintoff (England)
• A Symonds (Australia)