By Marlon Joseph and Admin. Updated 6:39 p.m., Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
One News SVG is a partner promoting the Emancipation Cricket Festival. The following is promotional content.
The Emancipation Cricket Festival presents, Andy Roberts, legendary fast-bowler and double World Cup winner
On March 6th, 1974, Andy Roberts became the first Antiguan to represent West Indies in Test cricket when he debuted against England. His final game for West Indies came in 1983 and when he walked off into the sunset he took with him a bounty of 289 international wickets from a total of 289 games. He was just 32 years old upon retirement, a brief career in comparison to some of his illustrious colleagues, but he did more than enough to be easily considered one of the greatest fast bowlers of all-time.
Roberts was one of the pillars of pace upon which the West Indian domination of world cricket was situated. Forming a lethal fast-bowling partnership with Garner, Holding and Croft, he was considered the leader of that terrifying hunting pack. He possessed express pace generated by a rapid run-up and powerful shoulders. His raw pace was tempered by a wily brain that managed variations and guile much to the confusion of batsmen. Although he did not say much, his eyes often flashed venom in tandem with bouncers that disconcerted even a fellow great of the game, KapilDev. Kapil Dev has stated that the fastest ball he ever faced in cricket was from Roberts. Clive Lloyd praised him as the most intelligent bowler he has captained. This combination of pace, aggression and guile made him a nightmare for batsmen.
Roberts won 2 cricket World Cups with the West Indies, in 1975 and 1979. Although he did not take a lot of wickets in those tournaments, his leadership with the ball, bowling aggressively and miserly, was essential in stalling the innings of the opposition. A major contribution in the 1975 World Cup came with the bat against Pakistan. Batting at number 11, he added 64 runs with Deryck Murray, scoring an unbeaten 24 to give West Indies a one-wicket victory. His Test batting top score of 68 also supports his batting credentials but it is unquestionably, as a fast-bowler that he earned his place in the pantheon of cricket. The Emancipation Cricket Festival honors one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of cricket.
SVG Emancipation Cricket Festival. Something legendary. Cricket meets culture. Freedom meets fire. A celebration 50 years in the making.
July 31-August 3, Arnos Vale Stadium, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The matches
The matches will begin on Thursday, July 31st, 2025 when Leeward Lions will face Kingstown Kings at 7:00 p.m.
Then, on Friday, August 1, Emancipation Day, Stubbs Masters will face SVG Hairouners at 3:30 p.m., and Grenadines Whalers will face Windward Warriors at 7:00 p.m.
On Saturday, August 2, there will be the third-place play-offs at 7:00 p.m., then on Sunday, August 3rd, Northern Girls will face Southern Girls at 3:30 p.m.
Then the finals which will be between Game 1 and Game 2 winners will take place at 7:00 p.m.
All matches will be held at the Arnos Vale Stadium.
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