As the West Indies suffered yet another test series defeat, I am constantly asked the question. Why do you waste your time following those losers? I can give a few reasons why I still love and follow those "losers".
Reason number one, it was 1987 after getting half-day from school, when I attended my first test match. I had the chance to see West Indies versus Pakistan with the lanky Curtly Ambrose who I referred to, at the time, as the tallest man I had ever seen, making his test debut. I was in awe of those players. I could only remember the experience of attending that game, I do not even remember that West Indies lost that game, with the great Imran Khan taking 11 wickets, or Javed Miandad's 114 against us, I had to check espncricinfo for that. All I remember is attending my first match and seeing Ambi perform. This match and the glorious 1980s are reasons why I remained a fan ever since. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16696/scorecard/63481/west-indies-vs-pakistan-1st-test-pakistan-tour-of-west-indies-1987-88
Reason number two, I remembered the entire country coming to a standstill when cricket was in town, people calling out sick from work, it seemed as if the whole country was inside Bourda, either in person or spirit or in the trees outside looking in like birds. As an adult my office was nearby Bourda, I fell ill around the same time West Indies was playing South Africa in 2005. I was in bed the first two days of the test match, Thursday and Friday, but I was able to make it to the match Saturday and Sunday. When I went to work on Monday my boss was hinting that it is ironic that I was sick Thursday and Friday, the first two days of a test match at Bourda, because he knows I love my cricket. So as much as I wanted to step over, in other words, getaway, to catch the last day of that match I was stuck at my desk listening to the sounds of the tassa drums, the sound systems and the ooohs and aaahs of the crowd. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/14855/scorecard/64131/west-indies-vs-south-africa-1st-test-south-africa-tour-of-west-indies-2005
Reason number three, building bonds with perfect strangers. I remember celebrating wickets or boundaries with people I never met before. I remember a game when my friends did not turn up for the match and I was left with a basketful of roti and curry chicken. I remember wondering if my food will go to waste, in those days people never really ate from strangers. I opened my food to eat and some men in the crowd inquired, "is roti and curry you gah deh?" After which it was happily devoured. After cricket, whenever I see those people in the streets, we always acknowledged each other.
Last but not least, reason number four. I remember going to Barbados to see West Indies play Pakistan and desiring a West Indies win but also to see Afridi score his century (122). Thankfully I got both, I think that was Chanderpaul's first win as test captain, he also scored 153 not out. Lara also scored a brilliant 130 in that match. My experience watching cricket at the Kensington Oval was no different from my experience at Bourda, the joys of brotherhood and sisterhood that I experienced I cannot put into words. We hugged, we danced, we laughed and expressed disdain all in the same game. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/14830/scorecard/209930/west-indies-vs-pakistan-1st-test-pakistan-tour-of-west-indies-2005
These are just a few experiences that I can remember, or can share publicly, but my support for West Indies, no matter how much I might curse them when they play poorly, is deeply embedded in my roots. Sports teams have highs and lows, look at AC Milan and Chicago Bulls, two teams that were once dominant. Should their fans abandon them now?
West Indies current problems stem from the greed and backward mentality of the International Cricket Council (ICC), but that explanation would take another article.
Therefore, I will support the West Indies to the end. This current period of inconsistency will only make the periods of consistent victory even more enjoyable.
Rally round the West Indies, now and forever…🎶. Right on my brother. Win or loose.
Nice piece.
Thank you guys for reading. I am happy that you guys enjoyed reading it.
I feel that what you really mean by support is a nostalgia for a time long lost. I have the exact same emotion about the game but I do not watch West Indies cricket right now. Sure if a game is in town I will go for sure. I still love the feeling of being at a match and I have gone to cricket in Guyana, Jamaica and Barbados. But I cannot dedicate my time to following a team whose only consistent act is losing. It is nice when they win but it is too rare and the fact that the management is never held accountable is really unacceptable. They continue to make money on a losing franchise and that is where the problem lies.
Nicely said Littleton. These days every time I mention to some friends how exciting I am to see WI play live I usually hear ‘why you bothering or don’t waste your money’ but for me it’s more than the winning, yes I want to see them put on a great show and lament their decline and poor mangt and politics that have contributed to their performance but at the end of the day they are part of my culture and identity win or lose, look at how the browns fans support their team despite the heartache each year this is just one example of unwavering support of your team despite it failings .
Great job Scotty! I love that. Whether they win or lose, “is we own”.