Cricket / West Indies vs Bangladesh:

Minnows draw first test

West Indies and Bangladesh played to a draw in their rain-soaked first test match in Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong. Bangladesh however will take much confidence from this first match, keeping West Indies on the back foot for the entire game.

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to take first strike. The team posted 350 runs for 9 wickets declared, with Mushfiqur Rahim scoring highest with 68 runs. Other useful scores were Tamim Iqbal 52 runs and Naeem Islam, 36 runs not out. Most of Bangladesh's top line batsman got starts but did not carry on due to the West Indies' bowling attack, led by Devendra Bishoo, 3 wickets for 81 runs and Marlon Samuels, 2 wickets for 73 runs. Wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh had his first five dismissals in Test Cricket.

West Indies in reply found the going tough against bowler debutant Elias Sunny, who claimed 5 wickets for 94 runs. This gave him the "Man of the Match" award. Only Baugh got beyond 50 runs with a score of 58, offering much resistance. The West Indies were bowled out for 244 runs.

Bangladesh in their second time of batting scored 119 runs for 3 wickets with Shahriar Nafees getting an even 50. This had set the West Indies a winning target of 226 runs from 37 overs.

The West Indies did not take up the challenge and scored 100 runs for 3 wickets. Both captains decided to call an end to the game an hour before schedule.

Soccer/ Jamaica

Winston "Fanna" Griffiths passes on.

The National Weekly and Jamaican soccer fans here in South Florida join the Jamaica soccer fraternity in mourning the sudden death of former national representative Winston "Fanna" Griffiths, who passed away at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica on Sunday October 23, 2011 at age 33.

This gifted and skillful left sided player represented Jamaica between1998 to 2002 and was part of a special group of players taken to the 1998 World Cup to gain experience. "Fanna" was an outstanding school boy soccer player in the early 1990s and played for Glenmuir High School in the rural area DaCosta Cup competition. He later received a soccer scholarship to attended University of Rhode Island in the USA. After college, Winston played for US Major League Soccer teams LA Galaxy, New England Revolution and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

He also played for Jamaica local outfits Galaxy FC, Portmore United and Humble Lions in Jamaica's National Premier League.

Soccer/ English Premier League

6-1: Manchester City shocks Manchester United

No one expected Manchester United to lose 6-1 at home to neighbors and rival Manchester City. But such is the game of sports. You can never tell what will happen with 100% surety. From a sporting point of view, we must learn from this upset. How did it happen? Why? Who will take the responsibility? What can be learned?

From a Manchester City stand point, Coach Roberto Mancini and his team came into the game mentally and physically prepared with a strategic plan to nullify their opponent, and executed it during the game. The responsibility for the victory goes to the coach and the team. What can be learned from this is with a proper mind set and strategic plan one is more likely to succeed than fail.

From a Manchester United standpoint, Coach Alex Ferguson and his team were not strategically sound. The team mentally faded throughout the game and did not execute their game plan. The coaching staff and team should take the responsibility. What can be learnt from this, you may not always get it right but you should always aspire to prepare prior to the game and to execute on the day.