Rain, No Play

Backed by unbeaten half centuries from Shiv Chanderpaul 52n.o. and Marlon Samuels 54n.o., the Windies strolled to an easy 7 wicket victory in the second ODI at Port-Of-Spain. This made it 2 from 2 and guaranteed a series victory in the 3 match series. The Windies were set a target of 125 from 25 overs after rain cut short the Sri Lankan innings to 112/5 off 30.3 overs. Jerome Taylor and Dwayne Bravo were miserly and had the Sri Lankan batsmen struggling throughout their rain interrupted innings.

After the Duckworth-Lewis rule left the home side a target of 125 off 25 overs, the Windies struggled initially as they slumped to 18/3. However the dependable Chanderpaul and the short-of-form Samuels put together an unbeaten century stand to win the match. The third and final match will be in St. Lucia on Tuesday, April 15.

Marlon Samuels got the West Indies off to a good start on day 1 of their first Test in South Africa. The Windies' first day score of 281/4 was built around Samuels' 94, but it was captain Chris Gayle's blazing 66 off 49 deliveries that got the Windies off to a flier. Gayle, who was doubtful to play in this match due to his hamstring injury, and Daren Ganga(33) put on 98 for the first wicket against the likes of Makhaya Ntini, the much-hyped Dale Steyn and Andre Nel. Lending strong support to Samuels were Shiv Chanderpaul(43n.o.) and Runako Morton (33).  read more »

UPDATE: After thinking this one over, I had a change of heart because of the fact that Samuels did not intend for his letter to be leaked to the public. So it is apparent that he was not seeking attention for his perceived problem, but was writing to the authorities to seek redress over a perceived wrong - a right that he is entitled to. My advice to him in the final paragraph still stands though. The original piece follows below.

West Indies middle order batsman, Marlon Samuels has written to team manager, Mike Findlay, and WICB President Ken Gordon, claiming that he has been discriminated against by current West Indies coach Aussie David Moore and his predecessor Bennett King.

Samuels claims that he was discriminated against because he was not given an opportunity to bat until all the other players including bowlers, had batted. By then the net bowlers were tired and not able to bowl properly to Samuels. Marlon has also claimed that he experienced the same thing in Malaysia and India under previous coach King.

Now it certainly seems odd that Samuels would bat last, behind the bowlers, given that he is a recognised middle order batsman. And if this has been happening more than once, I too would feel like Marlon that something was amiss. But my words of advice to Samuels have nothing to do with whether he is being discriminated against or not, but rather as to how he is being perceived. The press, particularly in the Caribbean, often make references to indiscipline when they speak of Samuels. Samuels was apparently almost sent home from India in 2002 and the label of "indiscipline" has relentless stuck with him since. This perception has been built up to the point that it is generally accepted that he is an indisciplined player and yet people have a hard time pointing to specific incidents. Certainly Samuels' attitude to his batting continues to need improvement, but we haven't received recent news reports of specific incidents about his supposed "indiscipline". Samuels' writing to the WICB about his real or not, discrimination will only fuel the flames of those who would want to see the end of Samuels.  read more »

Marlon Samuels has been drafted into the West Indies side to replace the injured captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, who has been sent home. Sarwan had injured his shoulder during last week's Test at Headingley when he dived into the advertising boards trying to save a boundary. Presumably, vice captain Daren Ganga will be elevated to the captaincy.

The issue of who should replace Sarwan once again raised the spectre of insularity in the region. Barbadian Tony Cozier called for Barbadian Ryan Hinds to be drafted in the squad. This ruffled the feathers of a few Jamaican commentators who argued that the Jamaican Samuels should be the choice, often hinting that Cozier's choice was because he and Hinds are Bajan, while dismissing that a similar claim could be made against them.  read more »

Cricinfo has posted a more complete transcript of a telephone conversation between Marlon Samuels and bookie Mukesh Kochar. Meanwhile, as wild speculation flutters around India and the cricket world about multiple players being involved, Fazeer Mohammed has called for a wait and see approach from the fans.  read more »

In this story in today's Jamaica Observer, Marlon Samuels' mother, Daphne Lunan, says that her son and Indian bookmaker, Mukesh Kochar, have been friends for "over six years now". According to her -
 
"All when he is not playing match he (Kochar) call him because the last time with his foot (injury) he called. and said he is a good player, he must continue, that's it."  read more »

Marlon Samuels has been linked to a potential match-fixing scandal stemming from purported conversations with an Indian bookie ahead of the first ODI of the recently concluded series in India. Varying reports of the incident have surfaced today, making it unclear as to what exactly has transpired.
   read more »

Following his last innings of 98, many of Marlon Samuels' fans are asking the question: Has he finally turned the corner?  read more »