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Kev's Caribbean Capers Part One

Way Back When
By Barmy Kev October 12 2008
As a pre Stanford taster, Barmy Kev recalls his last visit to Antigua ten years ago, sandwiched between two visits to the Oval [No, not the gasworks, the Kensington, Barbados version - ed.]. Typically, he recounts tales full of amusing incidents, drunken exploits and some international cricket. Here is the first part of a three-parter.

Prelude


Having just broken off from relationship and being free again thought watching England in W Indies ideal therapy. The plan of holiday was 3 weeks, which included arriving on Day 1 of 5th test at Barbados, the final test in Antigua and back to Barbados for start of 1 day series.  [Ramps, The Cat and Gus were in squad so added Middx interest.] The series score was 2-1 to W Indies at this stage.



Barbados briefly


I was flying out on day 1 of test, plane due to land at tea. The noise I heard when air bound was England 4 wickets down for something like 60 just after lunch. When landed 5 wickets down. I arrived at hotel not really enough time to make game but switched TV on to see Ramps 80 not out, having put on massive partnership with Thorpe.
The next day I arrived at the Kennington Oval Barbados, I had honour of witnessing his ton being completed-he was my hero at time.
Surreys Mark Ramprakash celebrates making a century 
Ramps was Barmy Kev's hero in a bygone era
England dominated from here onwards. After big 1st innings lead we declared day 4 just after tea with 400+ required. W Indies knocked off a quick 70 for loss of no wickets with intent of chasing target down and by end of day 4 all four results were possible. Day 5 was greeted by uncharacteristic heavy showers. Sadly only 20 overs bowled and became a tame draw. Typically the next day was glorious sunshine and the anti climax of previous day was galling.


Staying at my accommodation was Simon Briggs, now a broadsheet journalist. At the time he was a trainee with Wisden Cricket Monthly. We had some good chats about cricket and other matters which made the evenings flow.


Moving on to Antigua


This part of trip was certainly full of incident and I quickly got over Barbados farce to experience further debacle.


I arrived at hotel, which was right by St John’s test ground, the night before the test. There was a lot of publicity about the refurbishment of ground and the new (I think named Ritchie Richardson) stand being opened. I had walk around the outside and the ground looked half built and the building work was carrying on late that evening.


Next, I thought I’d do some shopping for next day. The off license had a large bottle of local vodka going at £4.50, which I couldn’t resist and think I paid more for the two glass bottles of orange to accompany it.
[Find out what happens to Barmy Kev, his designated test match seat, his bottle of vodka, his glass bottles of orange and his several new-found friends in the next exciting episode of this memoire]

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Re: Kev's Caribbean Capers Part One
Posted by: Seaxe_Man (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:13:15:53:17

There are some warm-up matches Kev next week if you on site then. Otherwise The Middle are on prize money of 114grand should they beat Trin and Tob. Even money?

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