Cricket - Arnos Vale, Saint Vincent

March 14 - As soon as I arrived at the airport in Saint Vincent, my host Colin Boyle asked if I was interested in going to the ODI (one day international) cricket match between the West Indies (maroon) and Zimbabwe (red). I jumped at the chance.


Cricket has always been confusing for Americans, who generally prefer baseball, but cricket is wildly popular throughout the English speaking world, minus North America.


Anywhere the British Empire ruled, there seems to be a cricket league. Australia is considered the current world power in the sport. India and Pakistan generally field good teams, and England always is a contender.


According to fans here in Saint Vincent of the West Indies team (played from the English speaking Caribbean islands, such as Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Dominica, etc.), the reason that the teams from England, Australia and New Zealand are the top cricketers lies with their scientific approach to the game - they video all opposing teams, study each batsman's strengths and weaknesses and study the effects of weather on the ball (useful when choosing to bat first or second).


To me - from a baseball family - the game makes sense, but you have to watch it while someone explains it; trying to read about it only confuses and frustrates you. The strange (to us) terminology now is clear. For example, the West Indies team (or the "Windies") won by four wickets in 27 overs, scoring 165 runs. The WI team captain had 63 runs off 41 balls. Now I actually understand what that means....


The winners - the "Windies." Although they are not paid anywhere near what American professional athletes earn, they are revered among their fans. Some make over a million dollars a year, mostly from product endorsements.


My host Colin Boyle and Rotary Club of Saint Vincent President Kirk Da Silva demonstrating proper batting technique.

Rick Francona