Rain on schools’ parade

hat promised to be an exciting day of cricket for thousands of spectators, many of them school children, ended in disappointment when persistent rain forced the abandonment of the match up between England and neighbour Scotland on day two of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Kensington Oval.

The showers delayed the start by half an hour and freqently stopped play. At one point, the sky was so overcast that the floodlights had to be turned on.

A strong start by Scottish openers George Munsey and Michael Jones was a glimmer of light on a gloomy day. Munsey made 41 runs while Jones made 45 in an impressive partnership of swashbuckling fours and sixes in a wicketless show.

Reduced to a ten-over affair, it was minutes to 3 p.m. when the game was abandoned, depriving England of the opportunity to reply.

But in the hours leading up to the start of the match, a carnival-like atmosphere gripped the Oval. Before 9 a.m., there were long lines at the entrances for patrons seeking to be seated early for the 10:30 a.m. start of play. Dancers dressed in cricket gear, colourful flowing garments and traditional Barbadian wear moved to the energetic and rhythmic music of drummers and steelpan.

But in scenes reminiscent of bygone days when school children were so common a sight at cricket they had their own stand at the Oval, around 3 500 students from more than 100 schools attended the match.

Many of them said they were thrilled to represent their school and watch an international match.

Although West Indies fans at heart, many gave support to England given that two Barbadian born bowlers, Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan, were playing.

“I am excited to be here on behalf of my school to watch Jofra Archer play with England against Scotland. I am looking forward to it being a good game,” said budding cricketer at Christ Church Foundation School Amali Marshall.

Schoolmate Jalon McAlister said he could not wait to see the showdown. “I am expecting England to beat Scotland bad and Jofra Archer to lick down somebody’s stumps,” he said.

Students from the Irving Wilson School, which caters to students with varying disabilities, also took in some of the action at Kensington.

Principal Armed Alleyne said she was excited that her children were not left out, stating that “these are opportunities that they are not afforded very often and they are excited to be in the renovated Oval watching the match”.

Head boy of Sharon Primary School Jelani Williams also said that as a major cricket fan he was glad to see the international players on the field.

Aiden Smith and Joziah Cutting Sobers from Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary could not wait to be seated in the stands. Their team of choice was England.

The group from St Paul’s Primary chanted Jofra Archer’s name before they entered the Oval, eager to see him play.

Chairman of the National Organising Committee Ambassador Noel Lynch said it was important to have primary and secondary students be a part of World Cup, adding that another 1 500 students are expected for Thursday’s match.

“This is something that doesn’t happen every day and I think this will have a lasting impact on the children.The only thing that would have dampened this experience was the rain and the match wasn’t completed. But I watched them as they came in and they were really enthusiastic about the game,” he said, adding that legacy was a key factor in the planning of the World Cup.

“There were three variables that were primarily considered when hosting this World Cup – economic impact, infrastructural improvements and legacy and promotional value. What must come out of this is a resurgence of cricket in Barbados so we had to bring out the school children. There are a number of factors that will contribute to the resurgence of cricket here and the students being able to see international players and experience this is just one of them. We want to see cricket playing a bigger role in the community, in the schools and on a national level,” Lynch added.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb