A lesson from the Windwards
The recent triumph of the Windward Islands cricket team in the regional One-Day tournament - the Red Stripe Bowl - bears a lesson we would all do well to appreciate
05-Nov-2000
The recent triumph of the Windward Islands cricket team
in the regional One-Day tournament - the Red Stripe Bowl - bears a
lesson we would all do well to appreciate. For years this cluster of
islands - Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica and St.Vincent - have endured
some of the worst results in regional cricket and while the other
territories enjoyed success in various versions of the game at one
time or another, the Windwards would always be left to slink back
home, licking the wounds of their latest defeat.
The perennial Cinderellas of West Indies cricket, as one writer termed
them, they were often forgotten in the euphoria of the winners.
It was as president of the Windward Islands Cricket Board, Lennox
John, admitted sometimes a bitter pain, the monotony of being beaten
again and again.
Yet, the Windwards did not lose hope, nor did they run from the
challenge and the arduous road ahead. Quietly and with determination,
they went about their in-house business; planning and charting a
course for the future of their cricket. They knew it wasn't going to
be easy nor would things turn around overnight but as the time-worn
adage says: 'Where there's a will, there's a way.'
So fittingly, as if saving their best for the new millennium, the
minnows of Caribbean cricket rose to the mountain top this year.
Victory and, dare we say, vengeance was theirs.
When captain Rawl Lewis hoisted the impressive Red Stripe Bowl skyward
at Sabina Park, Jamaica, on October 22, it was the first time in 11
seasons that the Windwards were claiming a piece of senior regional
silverware.
His comments following his team's win over the Leeward Islands in the
final, spoke volumes about the significance of the outcome for
cricketers and fans from the Windward Islands.
'We are going to get more respect from the public, the (West Indies
Cricket) Board and from everybody. It's good for Windwards cricket.'
Few people could have been happier than John, a veteran servant of
Windward Islands cricket and one who has always believed that they
have the capacity to rise to top in regional cricket. While still in
high spirits and accepting congratulations from across the world, he
capsuled the Windwards journey from oblivion to the headlines.
'Most people seem surprised that we've been able to work our way to
the top but we know what we have been doing. This is the result of
hard work and it shows that our development programme is beginning to
pay dividends at Under-19 level,' he said.
It was truly the youngsters who led the way in the Windwards. Remember
that their Under-19 team captured the regional title during the summer
and four heroes from that side - Devon Smith (Grenada), Rommell
Currency (St. Vincent), Shane Shillingford (Dominica) and Kenroy
Peters (St. Vincent), figured prominently in the senior team.
Now that the champagne has been consumed and the cheers have subsided,
it is for the Windwards to use this accomplishment as inspiration for
the future.
The Busta Cup four-day tournament beckons and John and company will
want to prove the Red Stripe Bowl success was no fluke and, for the
first time in ages, lots of eyes will probably be on the Windwards.