Cricket Alive in the 'Spice Island'
Tue, May 27, '03
The ODI series between West Indies and Australia shifts to Grenada for the final two matches on May 30 and June 1 respectively at New Queen's Park' just on the outskirts of the island's picturesque capital, St George's.
Almost six years ago, when Dr. Keith Mitchell's New National Party (NNP) made the calculated decision to build a double stadium complex ? one for cricket and the other for athletics and football ? detractors criticized the diversion of scarce funds away from the General Hospital, badly in need of repairs, to a structure which many dubbed a 'white elephant'.
Dr Mitchell, himself a keen cricketer having captained Grenada in his prime, was determined to have the cricket ground completed in order to be included on the itinerary for the 1999 home tour against Australia. Pat Rousseau, then President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), was very impressed with the facility, and all the stops were pulled out to ensure that when Wednesday 14 April 1999 came, Grenadians, along with the world, would be able to see the Brian Lara-led team take the field for the 2nd ODI of that series.
Dr Mitchell declared it a Public Holiday and international cricket had returned to the Spice Island after an absence of 16 years.
Located right near the home of wicketkeeper Junior Murray ? the first Grenadian to represent the West Indies ? New Queen's Park has as backdrops, the shimmering Caribbean Sea and the D'arbeau Hills, the latter from which adventurous spectators can get a complimentary view of any Test or ODI matches being played.
The most popular stand is the two-tiered Main Pavilion to the right of the bowler's arm at the D'arbeau end. This stand is beside the Players' Pavilion. The matches are likely to be sold out by now, but on the off chance that tickets are still available, the ones for the Upper Level of the Main Pavilion will give you the best vantage point from which to watch skipper Lara make mincemeat of the Australian bowling attack.
Ask for the ticket numbers that are about 10?20 seats from the end of the rows nearest the Players Pavilion. That way, you'll avoid the afternoon sun. Although an invitation to any VIP area (here, it's located upstairs of the Players Pavilion) is usually something to covet, this is one you might want to turn down?unless you're coming in from the cold and badly need a tan. With seats facing the sun setting in the West, a pair of very effective sun-glasses is a necessity if you insist on not turning down the invitation.
The other covered pavilion is single tiered, and gives mostly a side-on view of the game, not popular with cricket connoisseurs. All other stands are roofless, and the ruthless Grenadian sun is bound to take its toll on you. But, if you happen to be sipping a rum and coke or any of the choiced Caribbean beers, you'll hardly be feeling any pain. If you happen to be lucky enough to be sitting in the Carib stand which is to the left of the pavilion, you could be treated to impromptu concerts by recording artistes like Tall Pre, Short Pre or a whole host of others who stop by during breaks in play or at the end of a days play to perform for the fans.
Food stalls abound around the ground, so keeping your stomach happy will not be difficult. Many Grenadians prefer home cooking though, and if you're allowed a look in the many coolers you might have to ask excuse to pass, the national dish of Oil Down is sure to be among the cooler's contents. Made with a delectable combination of dasheen leaves, provisions such as yam, eddoes and green bananas, salted meat including pig tails, breadfruit, coconut milk, turmeric and seasoning, this is one of those 'more-ish' Caribbean dishes that you'll be scouring the island to find long after cricket is over.
Now Grenada is a small island, measuring only 21 by 12 miles, so you won't have to travel far to find Oil Down and other tantalizing dishes. A seven-minute walk back into St George's from New Queen's Park will lead you to Deyna's Tasty Foods on Melville Street. Walk another 10 minutes to the Carenage and the Nutmeg Restaurant offers up scrumptious dishes, especially those made from fresh seafood. Don't leave without trying their Nutmeg ice-cream. Nutmeg is an integral ingredient in many dishes and beverages, hardly surprising, since Grenada is the second largest exporter of nutmeg in the world, after Indonesia.
The other cricket ground where first-class matches are sometimes played is at Tanteen, which is on the way back to where most of Grenada's hotels are situated in the south west end of the island. The teams stay at Grenada Grand Beach Resort situated at one end of world famous Grand Anse Beach ? one of the unspoilt beaches in the Caribbean where the water is still crystal clear. At the other end of this beach sits the luxurious Spice Island Beach Resort, definitely the place to stay if you wish to be pampered. Try their Spa to ease the tension after an exhilarating day's play.
Chances are that if you've already planned to go to Grenada for the last two ODIs of this series, you've planned a short weekend trip. Rest assured, once you land in Grenada and discover the magic of the Spice Island, you will have to book another trip. Then, at your leisure, a trip around the island is a must. Leaving New Queen's Park, the drive might take you on the western main road up to Sauteurs in the north, hometown of West Indies debutant Devon Smith. On the other side of the island in the north east, lies Union Village from where the other Grenadian cricketer to play for the West Indies, Rawl Lewis, hails.
All in all, New Queen's Park has breathed life back into cricket in Grenada. Further, the island has benefited from the efforts in part by Allan Lamb, former England cricketer, to get county teams to use the modern facilities for pre-season training.
Prime Minister Mitchell's vision has been realized as Grenada has been on the itinerary for every home series since the inaugural match against Australia in 1999. On that occasion West Indies lost by 46 runs in a dull encounter on a flat wicket. Although the team will be coming off a rare emphatic 39-run victory in Trinidad, a similar result cannot be guaranteed.
What is a surety is that you will be in a hurry to return to the Spice Island, often described as being blessed with some of the nicest people on planet Earth. Experience it for yourself, cricket or no cricket.