My thoughts on…Cricket World Cup ‘07: West Indies vs Pakistan
March 16th 2007 -
If you’re a regular reader you’ll know that there’s no one more cynical than me when it comes to West Indies cricket. I was once an avid fan, just like any Caribbean local. That’s when the words “West Indies” struck fear in the hearts of teams everywhere. Now we’re little more than punching bags for Australia and South Africa. After years of great expectation followed by crushing disappointment, my heart just couldn’t take it anymore, and has grown cold. And I’m not alone. Since Jamaica’s World Cup qualification and the endless onslaught of Windies losses, many cricket fans have traded their bats for footballs, despite PM Portia’s declaration that we’re a “cricket-loving nation.” Eyes are no longer glued to the TV during a cricket match. Little boys don’t play cricket in the streets, trying to emulate their favourite Windies cricketers. Old men in bars no longer spend their time rambling on about the latest game. And the call to “rally ’round the West Indies” has largely been ignored.
So when the first match of the Cricket World Cup, and more importantly, the first match for the Windies started, I was pretty confident of the result. Another loss. As the match went on, my mother’s unusual number of cheers for “six” and “four” caught my ear. My interest was aroused a little, but I was still confident in my prediction. As I began to wonder what was the reason for her relentless fandom, I said to myself, “No wonder my mother’s so forgiving. She got it from watching West Indies cricket.” As I went about my daily business, I ended up in the Pavillion in Half-Way-Tree. I heard a commotion coming from the Western Union, and the security guard was shouting at the top of his lungs. A robbery perhaps? So I thought. Turns out they were simply cheering for the Windies. Now my interest peaked, but not enough to actively seek the results of the game. When I found out later that they won by 54 runs, I was quite surprised. Seems like the “Worst Indies” aren’t completely worthless after all.
However, I’m not entertaining hopes that they can be the first home country to win the Cup. I’ll be happy if they do, but let’s face it, better teams have tried and failed. Pakistan is no Australia. And this is just the first match. There are many more to come. But already people are starting to burn with cricketing fever yet again. Let’s hope they don’t fail us this time, else that fever may find a permanent cure, as too many eyes are on us, too much money has been spent and too many West Indians are bursting with pride and hope for that to happen.
Stunner Says:
March 16th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
I too feel the same way about the WI, in fact they are the reason why I stopped watching cricket although I was not a big fan of cricket from the begining. Yes it would be great if they won the series, but I’m not expecting that to happen.
Mad Bull Says:
March 17th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
You know, Australia really deserves to be way out on top in Cricket… over the twenty-odd years when the West Indies were running cricket, Australia used to get their asses kicked just like everybody else. What did they do? They persevered. Their fans persevered too, and now they are on top. The mark of a really good fan is that he follows the team through thick or thin… I don’t think most of us are good fans, including you, Leon, you, Mr. Stunner and even me, Mad Bull…
Poor West Indies…
Mighty Afroditee Says:
March 17th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Tue fans stick around through thick and thin, and not only when the team is winning. Reminds me of the hoopla with Michael Jordan’s Bulls - everyone was a Bulls fan. Lets all jump back on the cricket bandwagon. If our kids arn’t playing anymore, who are the going to recruit for the Windies later on? “Caribbean man that…is the root of our trouble”.
Island Spice Says:
March 19th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
“ole fire stick easy fi ketch.” Much as I love them, I put the out yes, they were only hurting me.. but then they come back with flowers and some brilliant plays: Bravo’s bowl and catch, Collymore’s six on the last ball.. and i jus cant seem to help myself. I’m smiling and letting them back into my life.. the love never died..