A teary Hinds is still proud

CRESTFALLEN but champions nonetheless!
The Barbados cricketers let sole possession of the WICB Regional One-Day title slip from their grasp when they lost their last two wickets with only one run needed for an outright victory and had to share the title with the Leeward Islands at Sabina Park, yesterday.
But an emotional captain Ryan Hinds, who shed a few  tears, while speaking to reporters after the match, said the team must be commended for not losing a match and registering their sixth one-day title after previous wins in 1973, 1976,  1977, 1988 and 2002.
“Obviously, our guys are a bit gutted that we are sharing the title.
We put ourselves in a position to win this game as I thought that we bowled really well as team. We fielded excellently throughout the tournament but I thought that we lost wickets at some crucial stages and some very unfortunate run outs,” Hinds said in a post-match interview.
Chasing a modest 140 runs for victory in the full 50 overs, Barbados folded for 139 in 38 overs, allowing the Leewards to get their seventh title, the third time they had to share the championship.
“I must say, well played to young Kirk Edwards. He tried at the end and it was unfortunate the way he got out but having said that, I think that credit must go to the way how we played from the beginning of 2010. Barbados’ cricket is in good hands,” Hinds noted.
However, he dismissed the notion that his cricketers are chokers and panicked after restricting the Leewards to 139 for nine when their innings close with a dizzy Justin Athanaze retiring.
“I thought that the Leewards put up a fight. This is what West Indies’ cricket is all about. Young (Lionel) Baker bowled exceptionally well but I must commend our guys for playing in the tournament unbeaten and that is very good for our cricket,” Hinds said.
“At the end of the day, it is cricket that we are playing. I won’t say that the guys went about the cricket carelessly. What I will say is that we were put under pressure. We lost early wickets and you know how that can go in a final.
“We tried and we are very tired. We worked really hard throughout the tournament and I’m very happy that we were still able to share the title.”
Hinds conceded that Barbados’ approach, chasing a small target, was to get on top from early.
“We were looking to put the Leewards under pressure. I won’t say we panicked but at the end of the day, we really need to look at ourselves and in terms of looking to win titles. We need to be more assertive but having said, I’m very happy with the unit that the chairman of selectors (George Linton) came up with in this tournament,” he said.
Earlier this year, Barbados finished second to Jamaica in the four-day first-class championship and were beaten in the final of the inaugural WICB Twenty20 by Guyana.