The arrival of the big-hitting West Indies World Cup side has come with a warning — hide your cars.
A tongue-in-cheek flyer has been distributed to homes near Waverley Oval, where the team is in training this week, warning of possible stray balls taking out a windscreen or two.
The squad will play match simulations from 9.30am to 1.30pm tomorrow and Friday at the oval and with the likes of superstar batsman Chris Gayle in the squad, the flyers carry sound advice.
The side has wasted no time settling in and having a laugh.
The Caribbeans are renown for having fun, says team manager and former West Indies captain Richie Richardson, and love a bit of banter as local spectators are finding out.
“We are going to take the community into consideration, we are not going to smash any cars or hurt anybody, so we will try to keep the balls along the ground as much as possible,” Richardson said with a laugh.
“But obviously, we have some big hitters. I think for the first couple of days we are just going to try to get our eyes in, and towards the end of the week we might see some balls floating over the barrier.”
While their laid-back attitude has brought a playful vibe to the eastern suburbs, they’re here to win.
“We really enjoy our training sessions, there is chatter and banter, but once the matches start it is a different story,” Richardson said.
“We will still enjoy it but we will get stuck in and get a bit more serious, try to win matches.”
And he said the excellent field preparation and hospitality from Easts — who also provided bowlers for the side’s batsmen to practice against — has helped their preparations.
Easts President Jim Maxwell said the trip had caused much excitement within the club.
“It’s terrific that our club can play a part in the game’s showpiece event,” he said.
“I’m sure our players, members and sponsors are all looking forward to getting involved (the rest of the) week.” (Reprinted from Australia’s Daily Telegraph)
