What Lindeners say about…
Interviews and Photos by Cathy Richards
David Pearson – ‘Winning this tournament was a lift that the team needed. For all those people hoping that the West Indies cricket would rise again, let’s hope this is a turning point. Sunday, October 7, was the modern day for West Indies cricket as proclaimed by Rudder all those years ago, as Darren Sammy’s gallant champions wrested victory from the jaws of defeat at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka to hoist the coveted ICC World T20 Trophy. Not since Clive Lloyd’s second World Cup victory at Lords in 1979, have the West Indian team won a major international tournament, and its people felt so triumphant. Apart from the minor ICC Champions Trophy in 2004 (by invitation only) when Brian Lara’s men beat England in the nerve-wrenching finals at the Oval, West Indies cricket has witnessed a long, arduous and troubling drought. Now it’s spring time again in the Caribbean, and the West Indies can boast of being the only team to win the World Cup, World Twenty20 and the Champions Trophy outright. India also has their names on all three trophies but shared the 2002 Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka. It’s a joy for me to watch the West Indies come out champions. I have been watching West Indies play since Brian Lara broke Gary Sobers’ record in 1994. I was just 12 years old at that time it was exciting but I can’t remember any other achievement or victory as sweet and memorable as this one which I would remember as long as I live. Congratulations to the West Indies cricket team they have done themselves proud and the people of the Caribbean.’
Rondhill Wilson – ‘I must congratulate the West Indies cricket team on their recent victory in the T20 tournament. They competed against the best teams in the world and came out successful, which was no ordinary feat. It had been a while since they have achieved a World Cup title. So winning would’ve put them on another level in the cricket arena.’
Dustani Barrow – ‘I think the West Indies win is long overdue and was welcomed by all true West Indies supporters. I hope that this win is the beginning of our climb to cricket supremacy once again. This can only be done if the WICB, WIPA, coaching staff and players work together. And the fans will continue to rally round the West Indies.’
Lytton Thompson – ‘Good game, enjoyed every bit of it. Winning ODI and test matches should be their real aim from now. WI must find an opening partner for Chris Gayle. Smith and Charles have not been consistent. Charles should be given more opportunities. Good going Samuels keep it up. Step up Pollard. WI will again be a force to reckon with. Cheers to Sammy too.’
Lennox Gasper – ‘I trust that this winning of the World T20 title will motivate the West Indies team to practice more team sport and not seek for individual glorification I think their win showed team work, excellent game planning and excellent leadership by the captain of the team. I would want to echo the words of Marlon Samuels to say: “It was an all-round team effort”. Though they had a poor start. All in all it was a spectacular performance by the West Indies bringing home the victory. Congratulations!’
Sherad Parkinson – I think it augurs well for the team in general, it shows what young talent and experienced older players can do if they play together as one unit believing in themselves, but more importantly, it’s good for the diehard WI fans, not only in the Caribbean, but around the world, to finally see our team do what we know they can. WI cricket with all its challenges and failures, is still the most loved cricket worldwide.’
Quacy Paddy – ‘This year’s T20 was a very exciting tournament which was as expected. The favourite team to beat chosen by most famous commentators was the West Indies. Not having much practice games due to the weather West Indies relied mostly on individual skill and practice sessions monitored by the coaching staff. Even though they were defeated early in the tournament West Indies battled the public who constantly placed the focus on Chris Gayle but this finals proved that West Indies can win when the big man from Jamaica doesn’t step up. All in all praises must be offered to the manager, coach and staff for their wonderful and successful tournament.’
Arthur Chung – ‘I am proud to be a West Indian and proud of what the West Indies Cricket team did. They deserved what they got and we as West Indians must learn that in good and bad, failure and success we must stand by our people. I agree that it could be frustrating when you are not getting the desired outcome from every game but I am positive that the days of the great lords of cricket with Clive Lloyd and the other will soon return. So keep the faith WI we got yah back.’
Dawn Barker: Teacher – ‘I’m extremely elated over the West Indies win and sincerely hope that they continue to do well. They have worked hard and have gotten to reap the rewards of their efforts. I do hope that they use this win as motivation to continue to make us proud in future tournaments. They have shown an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm and I am extremely proud of them and wish them God’s blessings in future endeavours.’
Chaunessa Edwards: salesperson – ‘When the competition started I was confident that both West Indies men’s and women’s teams would win the tournament. On the day of the final I was backing West Indies 100% but when I saw the wickets begin to fall I said to myself here we go again. Then I was extremely happy to see the bowlers save the game. I hope that this is just the beginning of many more victories and world championships.’
Maurice Prescott: RDC driver – ‘I enjoyed the win after so many years by the West Indies team. They were committed and played with a great show of determination against every team. I love the game, I love the team, I am a West Indian but there is so much that has to be done to make some changes for them to continue on a winning streak. Chris Gayle is my boy but it’s a team thing so congratulations to them all. Just keep on the winning streak and show the cricket world that West Indies is truly the number one.’
Raphael Fraser: design artist – ‘I’m proud of the Windies’ achievement in the T20 match. I really am. They’ve struggled and attempted a great many times prior to this and in that breath, they deserve every drop of showers down on them now. At the same time, I pray that this bit of glory isn’t short lived. This is the optimal time for our boys to remain focused on maintaining their top spot. But as the saying goes: A man should not be measured by his failures but rather by his achievements.’
