Jonathan Cumberbach
West Indies
Location: Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
Cricket came into focus for me during the ascendant Windies year of 1976. There was no knowledge of the Aussie hiding the previous winter and all before us were being swept away with a pace attack the world had not yet seen. It was also the year of the ascent of Viv, Gordon and Clive (as a skipper the world had not yet seen).
I believe the game to be England's greatest gift to its Caribbean colonies and perhaps the best game ever invented. The combination of choice, skill and grit perhaps rank only with that other frustrating enterprise, golf, also an acquired but addictive taste.
The golden vibe of thirty years ago has now grown quite tarnished as we have observed the ills of our modern society (general indiscipline, ‘bling’ culture) creep into every aspect of the regional team, making the five-day game a virtual impossibility for us to play today.
The world of the ODI is a different animal however and one we have played pretty well over the years.
I am now the Human Resource Director of Hilton Trinidad and have been corresponding on the game for several years. Hopefully you will find my rants entertaining and enlightening, as I am sure I will find your feedback.
And yes, I have played the game at mostly at second division club level on the island as a three down batsman famous for charging pace bowlers (learnt that head-game from Viv).
/ 1