Sports

WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – New Zealand’s injury-ravaged  fast bowler Shane Bond will retire from test cricket to  concentrate on the shorter forms of the game, in a bid to  prolong his international career.

By Marlon Munroe Trevor Benn was not raised with a gold spoon in his mouth.

PERTH, Australia,  CMC – West Indies captain Chris Gayle and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo headed the West Indies averages in their three-Test series against Australia, which ended this past weekend.

Digicel, the largest mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean yesterday commenced its maiden voyage with the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club by handing over a cheque worth $275,000 for the Boxing Day Race Meet.

Off-spinner Veera-sammy Permaul spun webs around the Rest Team as the three-day trial ended in a draw yesterday at the Guyana Police Force Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies spinner Sulieman Benn has declared himself satisfied with his personal accomplishments but frustrated that the Windies came up empty-handed on the just-concluded Australia tour.

– Opener responds to dropping by selectors By Marlon Munroe Overlooked by the national selectors in the Guyana team for the opening round of matches next season, opener Christopher Barnwell sent a reminder to the selectors that he was still around with a scintillating century on a rain-affected second day of the three-day cricket trial match at the Police Sports Club ground Eve Leary yesterday.

-Singh points to new hunger among Rest Team batsmen By Marlon Munroe Guyana Cricket Board’s High Performance Analyst, Robin Singh and national coach Rabindranauth Seeram have mixed feelings over the performance of the Guyana XI after the first day of the three-day trial match which ends today at the Eve Leary ground.

The 20th Kashif and Shanghai year-end football extravangaza is gathering momentum and this afternoon at the Georgetown Football Club ground a battle royal is set  to take place.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,  CMC – West Indies head coach David Williams has saluted the rookies on the regional squad and said their performance Down Under was a positive sign for the future.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,  CMC – Former West Indies youth captain Shamarh Brooks stroked an unbeaten half century Monday to highlight the start of the latest Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) trial match to select the squad for the upcoming West Indies first-class season.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC – Batsman Justin Guillen and off-spinner Sunil Narine continued Monday to press diligently for spots on Trinidad and Tobago’s team for the forthcoming West Indies first-class season with strong trial match performances.

Chris Gayle summed it up neatly. “I think people look at us now and think a bit differently, based on how we went about this series, even though we lost 2-0,” the captain said after the final Test against Australia on Sunday.

Teenage female golfer Joaan  Deo capped a remarkable season with  an another impressive victory in the Grand Coastal Inn end of year Stableford Golf tournament last Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Course.

ADELAIDE, Australia, CMC – Out-of-favour, hard-hitting West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard touched down in Australia on Sunday for  its Twenty20 Big Bash, expecting to be one of the headliners for the glitzy summer tournament.

SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has claimed his excessive celebration following Chris Gayle’s dismissal in the second innings of the final Test was prompted by the West Indies’ captain taunts.

PHOENIX, (Reuters) – The last unbeaten home record  in the NBA came to an end on Monday when the Cleveland  Cavaliers produced a final quarter rally to see-off the Phoenix  Suns 109-91.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Roger Federer and Serena Williams  were named 2009 ITF World Champions yesterday after capturing  four grand slam singles titles between them in 2009.

CHICAGO,  (Reuters) – The Sacramento Kings produced  the NBA’s biggest come-from-behind win in 13 years when they  clawed back a 35-point deficit to beat the Chicago Bulls 102-98  on Monday.

DURBAN, (Reuters) – England coach Andy Flower yesterday expressed his unhappiness with the umpire’s decision  review system (UDRS) being trialled in the test series with  South Africa.