That Winning Feeling
Sat, Sep 25, '04
I was born in 1979 and, unfortunately, was not around to experience any of the West Indies triumphs in the Prudential World Cups. Cricket was ever present in my home and naturally I heard all the stories of the great West Indian wins.
I would listen to my uncles talk about the heroics of Roberts and Murray in that amazing last-wicket partnership against Pakistan in 1975, the 'grovel' series of 1976 in England and the whitewashes administered to England. The stories would go on and on and I looked forward to one day sharing in that joy.
Unfortunately, my time as a follower of West Indies cricket has been one of more lows than highs. Sure, I saw Brian Lara?s 375 and 400 at the Antigua Recreation Ground, the historic 418 run chase at the same ground, and the series win Down Under in 1992/93. But during my mid teen years, when my interest was fully developed I watched the Frank Worrell trophy head to Australia, and it went all down hill from there. Losing and losing badly became a feature of West Indian cricket and I despaired of ever experiencing a championship moment. Surely, not when I was this young I said.
As West Indies advanced to the finals of the ICC trophy, I began to entertain the thoughts that maybe they would be able to pull off a win. But, the memories of 1998 and the result of that ICC final were still present so I quickly tempered my enthusiasm. After all we know that this team is renowned for its unpredictability.
So here am I watching England get bowled out for 217 and still being cautiously optimistic. I tried remembering the last final West Indies had won and I could only come up with the Singapore Coca Cola Challenge vs. India in 1999 where Ricardo Powell, with his blistering 124, led the way. Maybe there was a subsequent win but nothing else came to mind.
At 82 for 5, it was d?j? vu all over. Surely the customary collapse must come and when Shiv departed it had to be just a matter of time. I would have to wait again for this elusive major championship trophy win.
But Browne and Bradshaw were not about to give up as yet and as the target drew closer, I dared to hope. But, yet still there was the nagging feeling that all that was needed was two wickets. Losing had become so second nature that even on the verge of a win I was unsure how to react.
So I quietly sat, watched the score creep up to the winning target and finally belief began to set in.
Then Bradshaw hit the winning boundary and the screams of joy erupted from the neighboring houses. It slowly dawned on me that West Indies had won BIG. My wait was finally over but I remained numb.
I still am. Maybe sometime later the excitement will kick in but, for now, I'm just happy to enjoy this winning feeling.