Dreams Interrupted

With the Stanford 20/20 tournament being introduced to this year's regional fixture, Trinidad & Tobago have a chance this evening to add Twenty20 champions to the double crown Carib Beer titles they won this year. Joining them in the finals for a chance to win the 'obscene' amount of US$1m, is another regional powerhouse, Guyana current holders of the KFC One Day title.

Along the way, they each dispatched one of the 'Big Four' ? Guyana sent pre-tournament favourites Jamaica packing and T & T showed their dominance over the faltering Barbados.

But it was their dismissals of Grenada and Nevis respectively which would have shattered the dreams of wide-eyed cricketers; cricketers of all ages who had never graced a stage such as this.

People questioned the wisdom of the Match Schedule which would have denied one of the 'Big Four' a place in the semi-finals. How dare the organizers think that any of these islands could beat countries like Guyana or Trinidad & Tobago where cricket has been played for ages and whose players have starred on West Indies teams over many decades?

Both Nevis and Grenada have to join with other islands to play in the other two regional competitions. Had the Leeward Islands and Windward Islands each played as a unit comprising the best of their islands, they might have had an opportunity to be in the finals. But separately, how could they be expected to present even the slightest bit of challenge to the stronger teams?

It isn't a crime to dream is it? In fact, many a successful entrepreneur or sports team can attribute their accomplishments to having big dreams. Grenada had a dream and it nearly became the kind of reality that would have been one of the best cricket fairytale of all times.

Their captain Rawl Lewis knows what it is to dream. He was recently in an unlikely situation. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined a recall seven years after his last appearance for the West Indies. Lewis was therefore a fitting captain to lead a team with visions of becoming Stanford 20/20 winners.

"We really wanted this badly. We worked all the way through. In our training camp worked really hard and I know it would have been a good benefit at the end of the tournament if we won," said Lewis while urging Nevis to trounce Trinidad & Tobago last Friday. The results of Grenada's preparation and determination showed up in their semi-final game against Guyana, who seemed to be caught napping in the first six overs.

At one point, Grenada were galloping along at 10 runs per over, and though according to Lewis, their eventual total of 158 was about 30 runs short of where they should have ended up, a requirement of 159 would have made Guyana know that they could not falter in their batting.

Those who were watching objectively would agree that it was a neck and neck battle for most of the match. And who would have thunk it? Grenada, at a disadvantage because of the damage from the devastating Hurricanes Ivan and Emily in 2004 and 2005 respectively, were keeping stride with the mighty Guyana. Guyana's captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, as well as spinners Neil McGarrell, Mahendra Nagamootoo and recently Narsingh Deonarine had all represented the West Indies. Grenada only had one in Lewis. Their top batsman Devon Smith was representing the West Indies 'A' team on the English tour. Who to tell that had Smith, as well as veteran wicketkeeper Junior Murray been available, Grenada would not have come up victorious over Guyana?

Nevis was also missing a 'big gun' in their semi-final showdown against Trinidad & Tobago on Friday. The resurging Runako Morton was also in England staking his claim for a regular spot on the West Indies senior team. Still, Nevis Cricket Association Vice President Sydney Newton said in the tournament brochure "we are confident we can win the Tournament. We have no doubt we have a side that can upset the applecart. Nevis will be on the map after the three weeks in Antigua."

In Morton's absence, could this happen? Who could put Nevis on the map? Enter young Keiran Powell and the hopes of all Nevisian fans were elevated. He, along with his opening partner Shervin Woodley, made light work of the hometown boys Antigua . Added to those, there was the explosive Tonito Willett and the experienced Stuart Williams.

Winning the toss on Friday, Williams chose to bowl. Could this decision have in effect ended Nevis' dreams? Although they had a potent bowler in John 'The Dentist' Maynard, with restrictions down to four overs per bowler in this further truncated version of the limited overs game, it would not be enough. Trinidad & Tobago amassed 210 with ease. They were helped by poor fielding by the Nevis team. The prospect of catapulting into the final showdown might even have caused a few nerves. Had they held on to the many catches that went astray, the chase would have more realistic.

Nevis' dream seemed to have died for good when Powell's off stump was uprooted. With Willett and Williams back in the open dressing room, the body language of the remaining players told the story. This is where our dream ends. Reality has sunk in.

"We want to create an event and enthusiasm," R Allen Stanford had declared at the tournament launch last year October. In addition to succeeding in creating enthusiasm, the Stanford 20/20 competition has created dreamers; dreamers who, with a little bit of cash to support preparation including facilities, trainers and coaching expertise, can come back next year and shatter traditional perceptions of reality.