Hero worship
Kingston - As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of the highlights of this trip for me was the chance to potentially rub shoulders with some of the greatest players to grace the sport.
My head is easily turned and on my flight from Montego Bay I almost tripped and collapsed in a heap after spotting Sir Garfield Sobers - the greatest all-rounder to draw breath. Also on board was Clive Lloyd, under whose captaincy the West Indies were virtually unbeatable for a decade.
Then an announcement in the arrivals hall in Kingston asked for a certain "Mr Lance Gibbs to report to the information desk". I had stars coming in and out of my ears.
Lloyd and his team-mates who won the 1975 and 1979 World Cups are being honoured in a series of events this week. A few of them were paraded before the media on Monday and I was never going to pass that opportunity up but only a few minutes before the scheduled start time of 4.00pm, there were no legends to be seen. A spokeswoman said most were exhausted by long journeys and the emotion of meeting up with friends they hadn't seen in a long time.
Soon enough though, half a dozen of them ambled in, sporting huge grins, although Larry Gomes - the quiet accumulator in a flamboyant batting line-up - was, well, very quiet.
The gregarious Colin Croft was as quick with his opinions as he was as a paceman, while Joel "Big Bird" Garner was mean and moody. He had me quaking with his facial expression when asked about the 1983 final in which his team crumbled to defeat against India.
In fact, what was supposed to be a celebration, quickly slipped into a melancholy analysis of the ills of West Indies cricket. But Andy Roberts, another lethal fast bowler, lightened the mood considerably towards the end when the 1979 final was mentioned.
One scribe asked him to describe how they had seen off England when the hosts were "in a good position" at Lord's. "Which game were you watching when you think England were doing OK? It was quite simple - we just didn't want to get out (the slow-scoring) Geoff Boycott," Roberts replied.
With the session officially over, all the hacks charged forward to press hands and grab more soundbites. The emotion got the better of one or two and souvenir pictures and autographs were eagerly collected.
I'm not the only one whose head is easily turned.
This article does bring back memories of the 1979 Final. I remember at one stage sleepily thinking that one of the openers should get out so that the stroke makers of the England team could then take the stage. But one did not really bargain for the way the English batting collapsed. Another strong memory is of Kapil Dev's match in 1983 when, after India tottered to 17/5 I lost my nerves and stopped listening to the radio broadcast--unlucky not to hear the commentary on one of the greatest WC innings.These blogs are doing a wonderful job. Keep it up and hope the same high standard is maintained over the next seven weeks.
Complain about this posthai friendes
Complain about this postYa, looking forward to seeing the cricketers on the 14th here in St Kitt's...
...The match is on till the 24th... :D
Complain about this postJesus
come on lads gogo to world cup fun
Complain about this postI am an admirer of all time greats too with a slight difference that i admire the game of cricket more than its legends.
Cricket has changed its shape/dynamics and the technique as well.its no more a game in wich sole performers steal the show.its a team game now.Infact it has got more difficult to survive without performing consistantly now.things have speeded-up.now people can only remember players like Gibbs/Ponting/Lara n Yusif,who can give you something on regular basis.
Terms like Three W`s are seldomn used these days.
Complain about this post