The West Indies team did the job this past weekend in Jamaica. Reducing the 'mighty English' to a humbling (and dare we say embarrassing) 51 all out - the limeys were at least able to take credit that they avoided the 47 all out that marked the Windies scoreboard 5 years back at their hands.
On a day when Windies pacer Jerome Taylor recorded figures of 5 wickets for 11 runs keeping the English batsmen trapped with consistent line and length for the day, the only thing to complain about was the fact that the enjoyment would come to an end a day prematurely as Captain Chris Gayle's side closed the deal with a day left to spare depriving the Day 5 ticket holders (and the West Indies Cricket Board and Kingston Cricket Club an extra day of revenue).
The English team didn't even appear at the post-match ceremony which was unfortunate. After many years of seeing our defeated warriors suffer the further humiliation of a post-match awards ceremony and declaration of Man of the Match etc etc against the backdrop of some disastrous result.....to realise that attendance at the post match was 'voluntarily' makes you wonder whether some of our fellas are good sports or gluttons for punishment! If it is mandatory though...I do hope that the authorities address it….mind you not the same braniacs that MIRACULOUSLY adjudged Powell out caught behind. Perhaps the pain of their first defeat to the Windies in 17 matches and 9 years was just too ‘bloody much’ for our friends from across the pond who clearly didn’t give a “shite” about sportsmanship – oh well!
Fans from throughout Sabina Park….. from the boxes to the Mound rejoiced at seeing an emphatic (and all too rare) West Indies Test Victory on home soil when the series still mattered. We now watch with baited breath for the 2nd Test which kicks off this weekend in Antigua.
Post match the Mound saw the likes of Captain Chris Gayle, pacer Jerome Taylor, high scorer Ramnesh Sarwan, spinner Sulieman Benn the beautiful Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillips and sprint sensation Usain Bolt (who was engaged in a keen game of dominoes with Courtney Walsh). We kept an eye on Bolt but unlike his fellow Beijing Olympic superstar could not be found 'engaging any young and foolish behaviour' (aka smoking “something” from a bong)......
Socialites and movers and shakers were on hand a plenty.......clearly sharing this time in the Mound as diehard, serious, passionate followers of the game (on and off the field)......some in attendance......Michelle and Gregory Mayne, Zachary “Mr. Jamaica Tourism” Harding (and his gorgeous wife Tamara - sporting a new shortened hairdo), Chris 'Mr. World Cup' Dehring along with wife Alicia (big up T&T) were playing hostesses with the mostess as the celebrities filed into the 'VIP' section and paid their respects en route to the bar; Mr. and Mrs. (to be) Brett Wong were ever present to enjoy the celebrations. Making a ‘guest appearance’ was Dr. Damien Grant who had jetted in from Atlanta for the occasion…..the Peach State will clearly welcome home a happier man for the on field exploits!
Wavell Hinds was also in the 'hizz-house' enjoying the post-game action with his former opening partner Gayle.
The Mound seldom fails to deliver in the ‘eye-food’ department and this weekend was no disappointment. Say no more. (I can’t…..really…its complicated).
Skele Green had the place on point and clearly enjoyed the victory on the cricket strip as well the '$ucce$$' of the day......
Cricket Ambassador and party stand connoisseur Peter Matthews was present (of course) though his uncharacteristically subdued demeanour made you wonder whether he was contemplating the result with extreme glee or (mild-ish) shock; if there's anyone who would have had to ensure the disappointment of some of these previous....hmmm.....results firsthand certainly he would be the most abused.....
While the rest of Sabina had emptied by 430pm as people made their way home......reveling in the glow of victory….the Mound went into party overdrive forcing the powers that be to reopen the bar on at least 3 occasions after it had been 'officially' closed until things finally shut down around 630p…..I couldn't help thinking that had this been Port of Spain - the Trini Posse would have been ramping until at least 9pm....or the last (partygoer) was left standing at the bar-icket.
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