Both calypso cricket and Samba football (soccer) burst onto the international scene in the 1930s. For football fans it was the breathtaking Brazilian, Leonidas, affectionately known as the “Black Diamond”. Cricket’s equivalent was Panamanian-born George Headley, aka the “Black Bradman”. In the late 50s and 60s, although we had King Pele – cricket’s equivalent would be Sir Gary Sobers – it was the flair, the dashing elegance of Pele’s teammate, Garrincha, the “little bird” that mesmerized the world. In fact, Garrincha’s signature play was his dazzling footwork, often leaving the opposition dizzy with his brilliance before passing to a teammate for the coup de grâce. And, in cricket, of whom does the little bird remind us? Why, the “little master” of course, Rohan Kanhai. In 1964, while watching him at Leeds in the company of CLR James, Sir Learie Constantine remarked, “That one,” nodding at Kanhai, “is different from all of them. Some of his colleagues in the pavilion who have played with him for years have seen strokes that they have never seen before: from him or anybody else”.
Calypso Cricket and Samba Soccer: Poetry in Motion
@CaribbeanCricket.com
I was at the game tonight. Brazil was god-awful, but one moment of brilliance by Vini Jr. saved Brazil the blushes. I think Ancelotti is still trying to get the combination right.
Both West Indies and Brazil looked ordinary yesterday. Without Neymar Brazil was missing the one player who can break down defenses. Asked about Neymar‘s possible return, Ancelotti said he was still not 100% ready. Will he be available for game 2? No.
@CaribbeanCricket.com
Japan will do damage in this World Cup. Exciting half with Netherlands.
@CricSham
I gave up on Brazil just like I gave up on WI.
@Curtis
I understand the frustration, my brother. Brazil looked mediocre on Saturday. I saw the same at Kensington Oval last year against Australia. West Indies dropped six catches in that test. These were catches we took in high school ball. At the Press conference I asked Sammy will they be read the riot act. Sammy replied “What do you think?” He was not being a wise guy he was telling me, hell yes. But the truth is if they can’t hold simple catches at the test level what the hell are they doing playing test cricket?