Dear Editor,
As the weeks go by the historic nature of the West Indies winning the T20 World Cup 2016, and how they won it, grows more apparent — it is the most memorable victory of the T20 era.
One of the most thrilling and famous finishes to a cricket match took place at Kennington Oval in England in 1902. It was the 5th Test England versus Australia. England had to make 263 in the final innings. When the 9th wicket fell England needed 15 runs to win. George Hirst was the man in and Wilfred Rhodes came out to join him. The conversation which then took place has gone down in cricket history and folk lore. “Wilfred”, George Hirst said to Rhodes, “be steady — we’ll get them in singles”. England did get them and won by one wicket. Never to be forgotten.
And now in another era we have another game and another conversation which will also be remembered for a hundred years. In the final of the 2016 T20 World Cup at historic Eden Gardens West Indies versus England West Indies need 19 runs to win with one over left. Marlon Samuels and Carlos Brathwaite meet mid-pitch and Samuels gives young Brathwaite (“remember the name” ) some advice which will also, like Hirst’s words to Rhodes, find their place in the annals of the game “Swing hard, Carlos, swing for the hills!” And indeed young Brathwaite did swing hard, he swung for the hills and he swung himself and his team into legend.
The more I think of it the more I love it.
Yours faithfully,
Ian McDonald
