THE West Indian victory in the ICC Champions Trophy is something to celebrate for the true lovers of the game regardless of nationality or any other factor. There was a time when everyone used to back two teams; one his own, the other being the West Indies. Such used to be the charisma of the team. Though the change in fortunes over the last two decades has deprived the team of that intense following, there are millions still feeling that passion for the team, enjoying its every success and mourning its every loss of which there has been no dearth in the last several years. I am unabashedly one of those millions, and, honestly, I am overjoyed at their recent success.
It is too early to say that the West Indians have turned the corner with this feat, or that we should raise the level of expectations with regard to their future assignments. But for once, let’s live in the moment and savour it while it lasts.
For England, a victory in the final would have been the perfect icing on the cake. They had been consistent throughout the season, and there had been a string of remarkable performances, both individual and collective. Though things for England had not been as bad as they were for the West Indies, it was still some achievement for them to get once again counted among the leading sides in international cricket. The process that was set in motion by Nasser Hussain finally bore fruit under Michael Vaughan, and with Andrew Flintoff finally coming of age, England did recover a lot of lost ground in the last year or so. To clinch the ICC Champions Trophy would have been just and fair reward for all the hard work. But it was not to be, and for no fault of their own. The West Indians just played better when it mattered.
With the upper half back in the dressing room for less than half the target score, it was apparently all over, especially when you consider the track record of the West Indies over the past several years. But for once the tail wagged, and wagged vigorously. It was dark and England’s two quickest and the most successful bowlers, Stephen Harmisson and Andrew Flintoff, were bowling in tandem, and they were not doing anything silly, but nothing dented the West Indian resolve that day. They were clearly more keen of the two sides to make it big.
While the victory must be sweet for the entire unit, I am particularly happy for Brian Lara who would have something to cherish at the end of an illustrious career. He has been the leading light in a team which has no one half as good. This has meant frustration for Lara because despite the loads of gifted talent that he has, he has nothing to show in terms of results. He finally has something to show for it.
On a different note, it also proves yet once again that cricket is a team game where individual performances carry little weight if not backed up by collective energy. Had it not been so, Lara would still have been able to salvage the West Indian pride on his own. He could not do it even in days when he had the good company of the likes of Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose and Carl Hooper. Everyone in the team has to chip in, and most of them have to deliver together at any given time to make it happen. That’s the beauty of the game.
I can go on about the West Indian victory, but it is hard not to bring under discussion the recent statement of coach Bob Woolmer to the effect that the decision to bat first after winning the toss against the West Indies was influenced by advice from certain quarters. Frankly, it is nice to know that Mr Woolmer is fast picking up the PCB’s corporate tendency of passing the buck. Where does it stop within the PCB headquarters? Your guess is as good as mine.
THE West Indian victory in the ICC Champions Trophy is something to celebrate for the true lovers of the game regardless of nationality or any other factor. There was a time when everyone used to back two teams; one his own, the other being the West Indies. Such used to be the charisma of the team. Though the change in fortunes over the last two decades has deprived the team of that intense following, there are millions still feeling that passion for the team, enjoying its every success and mourning its every loss of which there has been no dearth in the last several years. I am unabashedly one of those millions, and, honestly, I am overjoyed at their recent success.
