Orville Taylor Cricket is still the biggest story so why not start with it? Like most of Jamaica, I was so ecstatic, euphoric and effervescent with pride that a few big words slipped into my lexical repertoire. Forget the hiccups and the children who were stranded and poorly accommodated and the opening ceremony was a ?boss of a show?. True, a few detractors such as some xenophobic Antiguans, who dislike Jamaicans and never feel we do anything right, found issue with the line-up of performers.
Bully for them. If we spent more than nine billion Jamaican dollars and we have more international stars, why shouldn?t Jamaicans dominate the cast? After all, it is far easier to truck in scores of willing Jamaicans and house them in a camp, than to bring in people from other islands, who would have to be placed in limited hotel spaces.
Then to cap it off, we beat ?Paki? who could not make a stan?. In the first World Cup match played in the Caribbean, a Windies victory was always a safe bet, even if no Indian bookmaker got the hint that Marlon Samuels would have top scored. Only someone on drugs could actually expect that soca/reggae/calypso/Zouk Boyz would capitulate to Pakistan. Thus, only Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif could have harboured such optimism.
Struggle
Tomorrow, when Zimbabwe comes up against us we shall forget that we were part of their strugglefor independence. They shall not be reminded that during their indepen-dence celebrations in 1980 they did not know the words of their national anthem but all were familiar with the lyrics of Bob Marley?s ?Zimbabwe?. Zimbabwe shall be beaten almost a badly as they shamelessly and illegally battered their Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai last week, while in police custody. We in Jamaica should be very thankful for our democracy, where a Leader of Opposition can obtain information from an undisclosed source, plague the Government with it for months and remain defiant about not revealing his suspected illegal, informant, without any repercussions.
Anyway, back to the cricket. Two other games provided much entertainment, but for different reasons. Bermuda perhaps gave support to Michael Holding?s argument that ?minnows? should not be in the World Cup, which should be the arena for only the best teams in the world. Having lost to Sri Lanka by 243 runs in 24.4 overs, it looked like a joke. Bermuda?s bowling attack and fielding was amusing, with one of its ?strike? bowlers appearing to really be on industrial action. Another, looked remarkably like one of my print colleagues who only understands ?barbells? to be the chimes announcing closing time. This overweight bowler perhaps works out in a Crazy Gym but clearly was not in the shape for serious international competition. This makes a mockery of the level of this tournament.
On the other hand, the Dutch looked a fitter sid $31 million could certainly buy them some good Jamaican coaches as they struggled against South Africa. An Indian coach would be even cheaper so maybe they could ?try fi get a guru?.
Still, the epic was between another Southern African country, the aforementioned Zimbabwe and Ireland. With as much persistence as their forays in the bauxite industry and telecommunication in the West Indies, the Irish did not boil out like their namesake potatoes under pressure. In the end, the match was a tie. It was more the choking of the Zimbabweans thanthe luck of the Irish though. Nonetheless, it gave Ireland a fitting St. Patrick?s Day present.
Patron saint
St. Patrick, Ireland?s patron saint, was born around 385 AD. As a 16-year-old he was captured and sold by pagan thugs into slavery. However, his Christian faith helped him to survive and eventually escape after six years. The highlight of his 30-year ministry was that he reputedly chased all the snakes out of Ireland. Irish immigrants held the inaugural celebration of his day in the United States on March 17, 1762.
Zimbabwe is home to the world?s most dangerous snake, the black mamba. This creature which grows up to 4.4 metres (15 feet) is the fastest and most aggressive snake known to man. Clearly, St. Patrick was alive and well because having cut off the head of the African threat, the Irish stomped on the tail. We have snakes here in the West Indies but we also have one of the few creatures that are known to attack and defeat venomous snakes, the mongoose.
Interestingly, the mongoose is the mascot of the Cricket World Cup there are persons who seem to be actively seeking this role. In the midst of the World Cup, politics are still taking centre stage. The Leader of Opposition was missing from the opening ceremony Kingston?s Mayor, Desmond McKenzie was a ?fullticipant?. He might have felt a bit uncomfortable given that the volunteers and officials mostly wore bright orange. But the flood of Irish green must have warmed his heart.
Whatever could have been the reason and despite his objections, Bruce Golding should have been there. As Opposition Leader he is part of the Government, even more important than the members of Cabinet. If he was slighted, as when Portia was being inaugurated, it was a big act of disrespect. If it was his choice, then it was an error of judgement. Some answers please?
Anyway, on a different note. Why is Bruce now saying that he objects to the revelation of sources of party financing? If he feels that some level of secrecy needs to surround the benefactors of party then what distinguishes him from the People?s National Party. What then was the big deal with Trafigura?
■ Dr. Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
