Postcard (24 February 1999)

24 February 1999

Postcard

from Justin Langer

"A draw in Antigua but we boogie off to see Richie Richardson"

Although the result ended in a draw, fruitful practice was gained for all the guys over the last three days against the West Indies Board XI.

Unfortunately, spells of tropical Antiguan rain ruined our chances of bowling out our opposition for the second time in two days, but even still we left the Antigua Recreation Ground having taken plenty of positives from the match.

Warney, Colin Miller and Stuie MacGill spun the ball sharply and Andy Bichel and Adam Dale continued to bowl with great rhythm and control. On the batting front, Ricky Ponting and Greg Blewett both spent valuable time in the middle, as did the rest of the top order.

All in all, we are generally happy to have shaken off the jet lag and kicked off our preparations for the first Test in Trinidad in just over a week's time with a solid performance.

Although the cricket didn't produce any remarkable performances, Adam Dale aside, the most memorable aspect of this fixture was the off-field performances in Antigua.

The astounding part of playing cricket in the Caribbean, particularly here in Antigua, is the constant music that pumps through the air for every playing minute of the day. It is almost like, somewhere up in the heavenly blue sky, a massive juke-box overhangs this paradise, blasting out constant tunes all day long.

It is no wonder the West Indian people seem to move like fluid, jigging and bopping around as if they live their lives in an all-day nightclub.

You can't help but move to the tunes that invade the air. There is music everywhere! Between balls an enormous music machine screams tunes from the grandstand as the DJ invokes dancing and laughing throughout the day. The crowd absolutely loves the style as they dance and sing and watch the cricket in between.

It is like nothing you would see in Australia, and yet I must admit, the atmosphere really is infectious.

It is hard not to move your hips and jig a bit while standing on the field. It is no wonder that the West Indian people all seem to dance like Michael Jackson, considering their ears are filled with wonderful music from the day they are born to the day they die.

Although it is different from playing at Lords or the SCG, it is an exciting experience, and a nice change having the opportunity of playing Caribbean cricket in a foreign country like Antigua.

The music doesn't stop at the cricket ground, it is with you everywhere you go. After our beach cricket experience on Sunday afternoon, we have spent the last few nights down at Richie Richardson's beach bar, Lashings. Not only is the music constant, the setting awesome and the lobster, big, cheap and delicious, but the fact that it is Richie Richardson's bar makes it even more worthwhile for a visit.

Richie seems to be enjoying an incredible lifestyle since retiring from international cricket. Although he plays a little club cricket in England, he now spends the majority of his time managing his bar or playing his beach cricket under the Antiguan sunsets. I know a few people who wouldn't mind living like that for the rest of their days, I know yours truly wouldn't say no!

From Antigua, JL

PS: Andy Bichel announced today that he is due to be a father in six months. As you can imagine he is pumped!