'Tis The season of mixed feelings-Best of strokes

Over the past few days I have had quite a bit to rejoice about.

First, there was Brian Lara's brilliant 182 against Australia at Adelaide (on Friday night local time), then Empire defeated the Combined Schools South on Saturday, and the mere thought that the Bank Hall "Blues" could become the first double-crown champions of the new millennium.

Well the latter proved only to be a dream as Cable & Wireless BET destroyed Empire in a merciless fashion on Sunday in the finals of the Barbados Fire & Commercial Cup Competition.

The game could hardly be considered a real final and proved to be the biggest anticlimax ever in the history of local cricket.

In excellent cricket conditions at the Oval, no one could have ever imagined that Empire, the home of champions, would have performed so poorly.

In fact the occasion was a big disappointment for every Empire fan, accept for one elderly gentleman, the legendary Sir Everton Weekes, who described it as "a bit of an embarrassment".

I have to agree.

From the very first over which conceded 17 runs, including eight "no balls" by Patterson Thompson, through to the fortieth which yielded 20, Empire struggled to come to terms with the fact that it was a big day for the stars to shine.

Ron Bates and Don Oneal posted a 104 run partnership in just 14 overs despite a few chances, before Bates salvage innings of 62 came to an end.

This great start laid the foundation for BET's massive record breaking 327 for four off 40 overs.

Oneal batted solidly for 93, while Floyd Reifer (52), Brian Johnson (28) and Adrian Brathwaite (27) took advantage of the Blues worst day in the field since 1914.

Although Empire performed badly, one has to admit that BET could do nothing more than accept the Christmas pudding, ham, jug-jug and turkey with both hands, plundering the bowling for 22 fours and nine sixes. That was a tragedy for the Division 1 Cup champions.

Not only did the game turn out to be a non-competitive one, but also due to an absolute lack of promotion on the part of the BCA, it was very poorly attended. Fewer than a hundred spectators were present to witness the action, of course from a BET point of view.

The sponsors of this event, Barbados Fire & Commercial, must be very concerned about the apparent lack of interest in cricket, particularly at the premier level in Barbados. Are they getting their dollars' worth in publicity?

Is the Barbados Cricket Association putting in the effort to further promote the game?

Will the proposed changes to next season's format bring about any improvements for the game, the cricketers and the spectators? All these questions must be answered soon, before it's too last.

Finally, the Best Of Strokes wishes to congratulate Sherlon Greaves and the Empire team for winning the division one cup this year.

Congratulations to Brian Lara for his big hundred, but I am looking forward to a few more before the end of the series down-under. And a Merry Christmas to one and all.