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A friend asked why I love the CPL. Truth be told, the cricket itself is not the primary attraction, although the matches have been exciting and fiercely competitive.
How many times have I found lumps in my throat?
The sight of Sir Viv Richards at the stadium named after him in Antigua, jumping, clapping and waving his arms as his team, the Falcons, pulled off a fabulous victory the other night, was one moment.
Photo: Randy Brooks/ CPL T20.
(Sir Curtly Ambrose is a formidable presence too as he sits there glowering until some feat makes him leap to his feet.)
Even that paled when compared with the priceless exchange between Viv and commentator, Nikhil Uttamchandani, midway. He asked him what he thought of Mali’s commentary (Mali Richards is his son).
Viv paused and said he thought the entire commentary team was doing a great job and he was happy that Mali fit in.
Nikhil observed that Mali was so calm during his stints, was he like that at home?
Viv leaned in and said, slowly and emphatically, “Mali is the coolest person in the world.”
It gave me goosebumps to see the unbridled pride, and as the camera pounced on Mali’s overjoyed expression in the commentary box, it hit me that these two men genuinely admired each other, and it made me reflect on the nature of relationships between fathers and sons in this here place.
Viv had praised the commentary team and I want to endorse that.
The group from the Caribbean is outstandingly led by Ian Bishop and Samuel Badree, two former West Indies bowlers who were magnificent in pace and spin, and who now bring formidable knowledge and insight to their coverage.
I think the current crop of regulars is being mentored by them, and it shows. Carlos Brathwaite and Nikhil co-host a podcast, Super Over, which has been defined by the intelligence and research in discussions with their guests.
(via ESPN.)
Mali has been remarkable for his cricket analysis. Alex Jordan is simply fabulous in her multiple roles. They are engaging, informed and must surely invoke pride in what we have accomplished and what the future holds in this realm.
I know drone technology has done wonders for the spectacular images we are privileged to witness, but the people behind the scenes, camera operators, producers, technicians, statisticians and directors are magicians. If you have looked at footage of games of yore, you will marvel at the changes that have been wrought over time.
And the promotional videos of each territory’s landscape are so alluring, it sends me wistfully longing to be there.
Photo: Ashley Allen – CPL T20/ CPL T20 via Getty Images.
The umpiring has been satisfying as well—a balanced mix of sociability, impartiality and keen vision—invoking a sense of trust in the quality of decisions, even when they are flawed.
The marketing has reflected an understanding of the Caribbean psyche. Interviews with spectators—the woman in Jamaica clanging two pot covers, the one in Antigua with her small iron pot and a spoon—bursting with spirit; the antics, and the good-humoured heckling.
Who can forget the ground-staff in St Lucia when buckets of rain halted play? I’ve never seen such revelry at a rain break. A fan described himself as ‘Guytiguan’ to express his support for both teams.
We can’t deny that this place called Trinidad is shredding itself apart. Driven mad by political demons and quacks, we have abandoned our sense of belonging to this place that is ours before it is theirs.
What resonates loudest for me is the unfettered celebration of ourselves throughout. This is a space where people can relinquish their hang-ups, however transiently, and revel in the moment.
We need that release. We need that intervention from the mundanity and oppression of our daily lives. We need to be reminded of the splendour that we are as a people.
Photo: Ashley Allen – CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images.
The franchises, whatever their root territory, are a combination of players from the global cricket community. The teams have resounding support from their followers.
For me, as each team unfurls its banner players and welcomes newcomers, it is an opportunity to see what calibre of cricketers are roving the region.
I am not rooted in fanatical nationalistic support, so I don’t feel that kind of anxiety. I am more of a regional fan, celebrating the standard of play from match to match.
Photo: Randy Brooks/ CPL T20.
My assessment of a team is heavily based on spirit, camaraderie, commitment to cause; that capacity to fight to the end. Confidence is important, but cockiness is off-putting to me.
That’s why each season is a journey of discovery, because unless you are paid to follow cricket in the Caribbean, you really don’t have a chance to see what we have across the board.
It is tempting to call the names of those remarkable, effervescent bundles of promise. But there are too many to do them justice.
Photo: Randy Brooks/ CPL T20.
I cannot fathom those who use social media to make uninformed, cruel and pointless remarks about their performances. We really have a disgraceful culture of tearing down everything and everyone without taking time to analyse circumstances.
I see so much that makes me rejoice in being a Caribbean woman, that I feel privileged to be alive at this time of the year, and I can’t wait for the WCPL, when the women show their stuff.
What we see at these stadia, is what I wish for us as a region. That’s why I love the CPL.
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Vaneisa Baksh is a columnist with the Trinidad Express, an editor and a cricket historian. She is the author of a biography of Sir Frank Worrell.
