A tour to remember

One final airport departure lounge, one final flight. England’s tour continues with the one-day series, but my stay in the Caribbean has drawn to a close. And what a way it finished, West Indies eight-down hanging on to regain the Wisden Trophy. I hoped for something memorable when I left home and haven’t been disappointed.

Congratulations to them, as well, and it must be hoped that this is the start of better times for the game in these islands. However, I have to admit that my patriotism was bubbling on that final afternoon as Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson chipped away at the wickets. It was one of those moments I wished I could have been sat in stands, but from a professional and impartial view West Indies deserved their success.

However, this tour has been about more than just the action on the field. I could hardly have imaged some of the stories I would be covering when I arrived Jamaica on February 2.

Never mind Jerome Taylor’s spell at Sabina Park, Antigua was where it really kicked off. I remember watching the game from Jamaica in 1998 that had to be abandoned because of a dangerous pitch, but never thought I’d see the same thing happen because of an outfield. Yet in the space of 36 hours the Test was moved from North Sound to the Antigua Recreation Ground. Those five days proved some of the best of the trip.

Then, of course, while we were in Antigua the Allen Stanford story broke and suddenly the worlds of business and cricket collided. There was a hurriedly arranged press conference with ECB chairman, Giles Clarke, next to the gents toilets and some of my colleagues on the newspapers were dispatched to do stories from the local banks.

Barbados allowed us all to talk cricket again (even if there wasn’t often much good news for England with Andrew Flintoff flying home) although everyone was fed up of runs by the time the Test at the Kensington Oval was finished. However, the news from Lahore put cricket firmly in perspective. Then the finale: after four days on a slow-burn the game erupted into life thanks to England’s last-ditch attempts to draw level.

As I was told before heading out on this trip, a tour to West Indies is also about the people you meet. There have been some great characters, from the taxi drivers who want to chat endlessly to my encounter with Gravy in Antigua.

The former players, too, were fascinating to spend time with and the moment that stands out is talking with Viv Richards after the debacle at the ground that carries his name. He was distraught, angry and sad. It was great to see him during the tense closing overs in Trinidad, pacing around like a true fan, and no one was more delighted with the series win.

The Caribbean’s love affair with cricket is still there, but the fans need to realise they will never have another team like the 1980s – however hard that may be to accept. This side needs to be given a chance to develop and as they have shown over the last six weeks big strides are being made.

So that’s that. Six weeks, four Tests (or actually five) and 1-0 to West Indies. Great stories, great memories and a great experience. When I left London it was snowing. Hopefully it’s warmed up a bit when I land back at Gatwick.