WI tour of Eng, July 3-30

[sussexpob]

The two Dominicans bring up a century partnership.

Question for you Mike.

I know the Windward Islands team has a history of producing players, but I thought Dominica had almost zero history in producing players for the region/Windies sides. Shane Shillingford is the only Dominican I can think of who played a lot going back into the past, and I think he had an uncle or a dad (cant remember which) who was capped at some stage.

Is this actually a rare moment where somewhere in the West Indies has witnessed growth in the T20 era, or is it the fact the quality around the other islands has lowered so much, players from less historical powerhouses are now competitive?

[sussexpob]

Hodge up to 50 now too... Thankfully we have a match on now!!

[Durhamfootman]

I was in Dominica in 1982. I helped to paint the hospital that had been built after hurricane David flattened the island

fun fact

[sussexpob]

I was in Dominica in 1982. I helped to paint the hospital that had been built after hurricane David flattened the island

fun fact

Any tips? I am almost 100% certain to go there for work sometime before the end of November (and Guyana/Trinidad and possibly St Lucia) and have never been. The people I work with over there reliably inform me its nice.

[Durhamfootman]

40 years ago, of course and the memory ain't what it used to be. I googled the island to work out where it was we were and I remember a square harbour with walls and we walked to the hospital, so I reckon it must have been Marigot hospital. I only really recall the poverty, the mess the island was still in 2 years after the hurricane and how brilliant the locals were. They made us very welcome. It was the only time I've seen people taking their livestock with them to the hospital.

the ships divers spent their time laying charges and blowing up the wrecks that were blocking the harbour. On one occasion they were being ghosted by a huge barracuda so they had to be really alert. When they blew the charges the barracuda floated to the surface stunned and was immediately pounced upon by the divers who bashed its brains out and dragged it on board HMS Achilles. It was massive. The guy who claimed it had his photo taken holding it under the gills with his arm stretched up high and the tail still lay across the deck behind him. The fish was ate. The Chinese in the ship's laundry bought the head, it was the only bit they wanted for some reason.

[mikesiva]

Athanaze out for 82.

Pity!

Well played, young man.

[Durhamfootman]

so I reckon it must have been Marigot hospital.

although I note this is a new hospital so it can't have been that one, unless this a replacement hospital

[mikesiva]

The two Dominicans bring up a century partnership.

Question for you Mike.

I know the Windward Islands team has a history of producing players, but I thought Dominica had almost zero history in producing players for the region/Windies sides. Shane Shillingford is the only Dominican I can think of who played a lot going back into the past, and I think he had an uncle or a dad (cant remember which) who was capped at some stage.

Is this actually a rare moment where somewhere in the West Indies has witnessed growth in the T20 era, or is it the fact the quality around the other islands has lowered so much, players from less historical powerhouses are now competitive?

Absolutely right on several points.

Shillingford is a common surname in Dominica. Like Braithwaite in Barbados. Irving Shillingford was capped in the Packer years, and Grayson Shillingford was another longstanding player. I don't know about family relations though.

I think T20s cricket has opened opportunities in Dominica, but also the decline of the longest form of the game in Jamaica and Trinidad have opened opportunities for cricketers from the smaller islands.

I've been to St Vincent several times, but never Dominica. Though I'm told that anybody visiting Dominica should hike or visit the volcanic mountains.

[Durhamfootman]

so I reckon it must have been Marigot hospital.

although I note this is a new hospital so it can't have been that one, unless this a replacement hospital

Rosseau makes more sense, but I can't get the map of the area to match the picture in my head

[Durhamfootman]

at least this match has a chance of going the distance

[mikesiva]

Hodge gets his century!

[sussexpob]

Shillingford is a common surname in Dominica. Like Braithwaite in Barbados. Irving Shillingford was capped in the Packer years, and Grayson Shillingford was another longstanding player. I don't know about family relations though

It something I remember hearing someone say in a game, but can't find anything googling it. Maybe it was a commentary error based on the name/past cap sharing it.

I think T20s cricket has opened opportunities in Dominica, but also the decline of the longest form of the game in Jamaica and Trinidad have opened opportunities for cricketers from the smaller islands

I haven't noticed so much with Trinidad, but the lack of Jamaicans in the team nowadays is certainly noticeable. The old reasons were that Caribbean athletes were drawn to US sports like basketball, but without being a lover of the sport and only giving it the odd passing glaze over news, I am not aware of anyone who forged a career in it from the Islands.

I guess nowadays in Jamaica who has any sort of athleticism is pushed into track and field.... and tbf to them, why not? Jamaica has forged an unbelievable success story in the Olympics in the last 20 years.

[sussexpob]

Maiden 100 for Hodge... well done.

England really need a wicket or two

[Durhamfootman]

somebody on here said yesterday that England should have scored 100 more than they did. a good call, looking at the way WI have gone about their business today

[mikesiva]

Shillingford is a common surname in Dominica. Like Braithwaite in Barbados. Irving Shillingford was capped in the Packer years, and Grayson Shillingford was another longstanding player. I don't know about family relations though

It something I remember hearing someone say in a game, but can't find anything googling it. Maybe it was a commentary error based on the name/past cap sharing it.

I think T20s cricket has opened opportunities in Dominica, but also the decline of the longest form of the game in Jamaica and Trinidad have opened opportunities for cricketers from the smaller islands

I haven't noticed so much with Trinidad, but the lack of Jamaicans in the team nowadays is certainly noticeable. The old reasons were that Caribbean athletes were drawn to US sports like basketball, but without being a lover of the sport and only giving it the odd passing glaze over news, I am not aware of anyone who forged a career in it from the Islands.

I guess nowadays in Jamaica who has any sort of athleticism is pushed into track and field.... and tbf to them, why not? Jamaica has forged an unbelievable success story in the Olympics in the last 20 years.

Absolutely right!

Track and field athletics is the big sport in Jamaica now.

Talking about commentary errors, Ian Ward just said that Hodge was the first Dominican to score a Test century.

That's incorrect.

Irving Shillingford scored 120 against Australia in Guyana in the 1970s.