A ‘PIRATE’ also turned up to support the conquering English.
atmosphere around the Oval. The frustration was evident on the faces of the home crowd as the boys in maroon dropped several catches.
England were loving it, though, and late into the evening as the sun went down, the voices of the Barmy Army The team may have lost the Wisden Trophy Test series to the West Indies, but the Barmy Army was out in force yesterday at Kensington Oval for the first one-day international.
From as early as 9 a.m. when the gates opened, the English marched into the Oval in the thousands, with red and white flags all around the Mecca.
The Windies won the toss and elected to bat, much to the delight of the home fans, who were treated by veteran opening batsman Chris Gayle.
“Bring the balls!” some chanted as Gayle gave the home supporters their money’s worth on his return to the team.
Patrons in the 3Ws Stand and Greenidge & Haynes Stand were often brought to their feet, some blowing horns and whistles as Gayle entertained with an eye-catching 135 runs.
“It’s an okay performance by the West HOME SUPPORT was there for the West Indies.
Indies. The guys put down their heads. It always good to be at cricket; it is a good feeling. Seeing Chris Gayle doing well was also good,” said Barbadian Carl Lewis.
Patrick Inniss, who travelled from Miami, Florida, to take in the action, was also enjoying his time while the West Indies were on top.
Worth it
“I came all the way from the United States to watch this cricket and it is definitely worth it. The Windies didn’t do too bad,” he told the DAILY NATION.
“I love it here. The last match wasn’t too good but we won the series; hopefully we can do the same again. I don’t think we have too many problems in playing.”
His comments were echoed by Erslin Estwick: “It is always nice to come to cricket. I enjoyed our batting – Shai Hope and Chris Gayle, to me, performed good. We could have easily scored about 370, but it was still an okay score. I came late [but] I was pleased.”
However, as momentum shifted away from the Windies, so did the cranked up in anticipation of victory after embarrassment in the first Test.
It was another big pay day for vendors in and outside the ground. Long lines could be seen as patrons flocked to almost every food stall to get a bite and drink.
FANS not only applauded, but many recorded the moment veteran West Indies
opener Chris Gayle brought up his century. (Picture by Krystal Hoyte.)
VISITORS COOLING OUT IN the Party Stand.
THE ENGLISH SUPPORTERS and their flags were all over Kensington Oval yesterday. (Pictures
Pictures by Kenmore Bynoe.)
by ANMAR GOODRIDGE-BOYCE anmargoodridgeboyce@nationnews.com
IT WAS AN INVASION of English fans again and this time they got sweet revenge.
