Photo Credit: Cricket West Indies
Across the Caribbean there was great merriment as cricket lovers celebrated the recent men’s team’s victory over England in the Apex Test Series. The 10-wicket win at the Grenada National Stadium saw the home team capture the Richards-Botham trophy. Over in New Zealand there was also euphoria as the West Indies Women’s team reached the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. They will face Australia in the first play-off match on Tuesday night Caribbean Time.
Prominent members of the regional society took to their social media pages to congratulate the teams – in the true Caribbean spirit.
Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago wrote: “CONGRATULATIONS ?? ?????? for a wonderful performance in clinching the current series. Patient West Indians waiting hopefully to a return of performances like this. We never abandoned the dream and our heritage in World Cricket. RALLY ROUND THE WEST INDIES???????? Outstanding performances from a team that wanted to win. Special recognition to Captain Brathwaite, to DaSilva and all the bowlers especially the golden arm of Mayers who came to the party when the music was required”.
Oliva ‘Babsy’ Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Sport, added her voice to the outpouring of support and also showered praise on the women’s team, for her more than 150,000 social media followers to view.
“Heartiest congratulations to the West Indies for winning in fine fashion the third test match in the three-match series with England and in so doing winning the series 1 to nil. Not only have we won the series, the West Indies has become the first holders of the new Richards-Botham Trophy played for between the West Indies and England”, she wrote. “I must extend special “big-ups” to wicket-keeper/batsman, Joshua DaSilva, who made his maiden test century in the crucial second innings of the game. Let us all celebrate with the West Indies team, the coach and the support staff on an epic win”.
Grange also offered words of goodwill to women’s team as they prepare to face the Aussies. This is the second time the regional side has reached the final four of the marquee global event. The last occasion was back in 2013 in India, when they reached the final as well.
“I must also congratulate the West Indies Women for making it to the semi-finals of Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. All the best to them in the upcoming matches” Grange said in a post accompanied by the CWI celebratory video at the team’s hotel in Wellington.
Dr Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, was on hand at the National Stadium to join the ‘party’ as Grenadians stayed until sunset and sang the ‘Rally Round The West Indies’ lustily. Mitchell shared a photo from the Windies Cricket page and noted: “Congratulations to the #MenInMaroon. Grenada is delighted to be the location for your Test series win against England”.
Name of Author: Cricket West Indies
Cricket West Indies (CWI) governs cricket across the West Indies, a confederation of Caribbean countries. Originally established as the West Indies Cricket Board of Control in the 1920s, it became the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in 1996 and was rebranded as Cricket West Indies in May 2017 as part of a restructuring effort.
