Mark Wignall | When we were good

On my mind last Thursday was Mr Dennis Gordon, People’s National Party (PNP) politician and the political man of the moment. He is executive chairman of Jacden Group of Companies. If you really want to get an idea how huge Gordon is, just visit two government-run medical facilities – the KPH and the UHWI.

The uniforms of all people working in ancillary services are stamped Jacden. It seems that Mr Gordon is a rich man, and we know that in Jamaica, the rich make laws for themselves even if, in fact, Mr Gordon is an honourable man through and through. But more on Mr Gordon and controversial matters troubling him next week.

You may not believe this but in a world on the edge of falling over into an unknown abyss, at times it suits us to think about a concert, a son, and an exciting game to give us joy and laughter. Something to take us back from crippling reality.

So on my mind today is cricket. I was a stripling in my 20s in the 1970s. Unlike many of my friends, I had no particular talent for cricket although my father was always in the backyard valiantly trying with the three of us boys.

My friend presents his personal explanation.“Cricket meant everything to me. At that time the West Indies (WI) cricket team was incredible. The WI cricket team dominated. They could not be beaten. From the late 1970s to around the mid 1990s, the WI beat everyone they played in test matches and one day internationals (ODIs).”

There was a direct connection in the Caribbean between cricket and the people. It was atmospheric, in the air, and like the roots of a great oak and the people who took shade under it. It connected at the level of where we were planted.

“When the WI were good, the people of the WI felt a deep sense of pride. All over the Caribbean people walked with a purpose and pride in their step. They felt one with the WI cricket team.

“People were proud of the group of us from various Caribbean islands who beat the former colonial power, England, and the mighty Australians, the Indians, the New Zealanders, the Pakistanis, and every cricketing power in the world. The WI played with style, flair, and their pace attack was feared worldwide. The world’s greatest batsmen needed a smoke or a drink to settle their nerves when they had to face the WI pace attack.

“Seeing Holding, Roberts, Croft, Garner, and Marshall bowling at full speed mesmerized the crowds at ovals all over the world. In the Caribbean, the ovals in Kingston, Bridgetown, Port- of-Spain, Georgetown, and other places were full of joyous spectators. Full of anticipation and joy. Entire economies and governments were halted as everyone was either at the test matches or listening intently on the radio or watching on TV.

“I remember Parliament in Jamaica took a recess so that the MPs could either attend the Test match, listen, or watch the Test match. Seeing Holding run up to bowl was pure poetry. His magnificent stride graceful and powerful and his deliveries lightning fast. Roberts, with his deceptive deliveries, one delivery being not so fast and the next delivery being very fast and the batsman clueless.

“The outstanding opening batting of Greenidge and Haynes. The incredible ‘Master Blaster’ Vivian Richards. The steady and powerful batting of Clive Lloyd, the captain. Lloyd was a splendid captain. He demanded the best from the players and they delivered. Everyone talked about the amazing WI cricket team. No one could deny the WI team was simply the best.”

Those of you who were not around have sorely missed something. “A working man might only have a few dollars in his pocket, but he would spend that few dollars to go to Sabina Park to see ‘his’ team play and win. He forgot he was poor seeing the bowling of Holding and company and the batting of Richards and company.

“Who can forget Richards wearing his WI cap and foregoing a helmet, facing hostile Dennis Lillee bowling bouncer after bouncer to him and Richards coolly dispatching those bouncers to the boundary for four runs. Those players – Holding, Roberts, Ambrose, Walsh, Garner, Croft, Marshall, Lloyd, Greenidge, Haynes, Murray, Dujon, Gibbs, Kallicharan, Rowe, and many others – made us West Indians feel so good.”

There once was a time at Sabina Park when we played with an ambulance in waiting because of the ferocity of our bowlers and batsmen from another nation shivering in fear.

“The only other thing I can remember, almost with the same glee of Christmas was taking that trek to Champs. “The tough fact is for many years now the WI cricket team has been mediocre, and that is being kind.

“Now they can’t even beat Afghanistan, who are new to the world of international cricket. West Indians can feel no pride and joy in their cricket team. The ovals across the Caribbean have few spectators for Test matches.

“There is a long, sad vacancy. I do not think the WI will ever field such great teams again. Trust me, that is really tough to bear. Mentally, how must we face up to that? How far must we reach and in which direction must we focus?”

Mark Wignall is a political and public affairs analyst. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and mawigsr@gmail.com.