The distinctive sound of the bat cracking against the leathery ball, lively cheers and thunderous appeals have started to fill the air around the legendary Kensington Oval as 2019 opens with a bang for lovers of the island’s national sport. The England tour of the West Indies kicked off in Barbados from January 23 to January 27 with the first test match, and the island has already welcomed scores of British visitors making the pilgrimage to the cricketing Mecca of the Caribbean. The calendar then continues into February, where the teams will return to the island for the one-day international matches on February 20 and 22 with an 11:00AM start time penciled in on the schedule. Prior to this, the English gentlemen will also take on the UWI Vice Chancellors XI in a one-day practice match at the Three Ws Oval at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus on Sunday February 17.
The Exciting Evolution of Cricket
Historically, people attended cricket to actually watch the game. In recent years – the sport has evolved significantly! Now-a-days cricket in Barbados is a colourful sight with music, drums and yes, carnival–style cheerleaders! There’s food, camaraderie and live sports right in front of you. Now that’s a winning combination! Veteran entertainer Mac Fingall is a regular at cricket, and is supported by a troupe of colorful musicians playing steel pans, trumpets and drums, keeping the crowd entertained. There’s an explosion of culture as thousands of fans equipped with horns, flags and conch shells, fill the air with lively sounds. Enter “De Posse Stand”. This is the liveliest stand at cricket! Bring your own cooler and enjoy non-stop vibes. Expect to dance, sing and even take a selfie with a stiltman or a giant M&M – you decide! Some of Barbados’ most popular entertainers such as Mikey Mercer, Lil Rick and Faith perform to the delight of the crowd. There’s food galore – macaroni pie, hamburgers, hotdogs, barbecue pigtails,and lots more!
Photo compliments “De Posse Stand”
Serious cricket enthusiasts can enjoy a professional game while being surrounded by even more excitement and of course, possibly inebriated loved ones. If you prefer, you may be able to rent a Corporate air-conditioned box which also has a walk out balcony to easily view the action. Also available are the regular stands, apart from the De Posse stand. Complete the Barbados cricket experience by checking out the insightful Cricket Legends of Barbados museum just a stone’s throw away from the Kensington Oval. Complete with relics from the heyday of West Indies cricket as well as various glimpses into the days that created global cricketing giants, your nostalgia will definitely thank you for it!
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