WHAT WAS COOL
The cricket was exciting, matches were well-paced and the players were not in an Ivory Tower looking down at us mere mortals.
The last day was very interesting – there were throngs of Indian spectators who supported England fully. Aussie supporters were few and far between, the few lads from Down Under willing to speak accepted England fought and trained well {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-
We approached some Bajans who had wildly varying views in what the British victory means, whether from recent elections in the UK or revisiting certain aspects of Australia’s history{CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-
I must say when 3 wickets fell in five minutes on Sunday, I felt sure the lads from Oz were in deep trouble but didn’t realise it yet… I love how the team spirit from England was very apparent in their celebration, watch here;-
Games were well attended, patrons were not made to feel like second class citizens like CWC 2007 and by allowing more ease of movement – an air of common sense prevailed which assisted in the cooperation given and attendance of the matches.
It was an event where even ‘unofficial‘ Media like myself could be treated with respect and accorded privileges usually saved for mainstream/dead-tree media. Accreditation was easy and prompt via e-mail, there have been instances recently and at the beginning of the year with other entities which leave a lot to be desired for seeking accreditation to attend events, but that is another entry anon.
The 16 May 2010 Cricket Finale itself was crammed, and see for yourself how the crowd was a sea of St George flags;-
I have a green sun-hat with a brim which can clip to the sides now for ten Barbados bucks which kept me from broiling while at “The Mecca” and it will do so again at polo when Holders is roasting – I must say, this lady entrepreneur who I got it from was smart. She realised it’s far easier to sell a thousand tickets at a dollar than move one ticket for a thousand dollars.
WHAT WAS BAD
Let’s start with what I call the ‘Play Of The Day,’ when it was after the night match of New Zealand Vs. Aussie gals, we were called on the field & I was with a whole pile of photographers waiting to snap the Aussie ladies (unlike the men) in victory… As we all hit our triggers? Check what happened…
I never knew Indian photographers can cuss like a Bajan? I haven’t heard so many “RH’s” or “C’s” outside a rumshop or fish market in a while! Even men who you feel that butter won’t melt in them mouth let fly with some real spicy language… (Me? I was an angel, really, I assure you, ahem!) I hear later that maybe the guys were in a hurry to get home, what crap, but now I beginning to understand why Kensington Oval want Groundsmen with some basic CXC’s as qualification…
Can anyone explain the price structure of Kensington’s concession stands? A hot dog was TEN dollars Barbados, a Jamaican Pattie was SIX BD$ and as for beverages? A rum mini is $15 and a flask was $25 while vodka was $25 for a mini and $40 for a flask… I was so glad the Media Centre had meals and gave away bottled water and Pepsi – I satisfied my Coke cravings once home (The brands allowed were of the lesser variety – Cockspur rum, Smirnoff vodka and you heard the soda-pop’s were Pepsi or Ju-C)! I saved for booze on the last day…
Why was the Accreditation Centre running from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm? Why not stagger it? Like 8:00 am to 11:00 am then from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, since many folk, based on their agenda, like either early or late periods for appointments. I also think Media Accreditation should have also meant Parking was pre-arranged for their benefit as well.
With regards to parking for media, it needs to be closer – if Officials can park by opposite DaCosta Mannings in Fontabelle side and Players could park by the entry gates for spectators, then why do Media have to go by the BIDC area in Harbour industrial Park? Couldn’t a deal have been cut with the closer venues of either Legends of Barbados or First Caribbean International??
Official gear was rather hot in costs, I know there’s shipping and they were made overseas and yadda-yadda-yadda but we get back to how Branson won the war against British Airways – he offered a similar yet better service for less and he had so many repeat customers he ended up with a very popular company! The lady by the Maggi shop near First caribbean had a better idea, sell the goods low and make back up on VOLUME.
This was not the case for parking – I ended up stationing myself outside Quality Motors and walking back, as most companies in Fontabelle offered an all day park for $7.00 in the early stages but on Sunday they were demanding $10.00 per car! Prices drop as demand increases, not rises – okay?
WHAT WAS BARMY
There was so much which you don’t usually see at a sporting event – there were guys who I called “Spider-Men” and some rather ‘inflated assets‘ who were like the Scarlet Pimpernel… Here or there or everywhere!
Why these crazy outfits? They were drawing attention to promote a Rugby match {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-
They were not the only ones pulling a laugh, there was a local Mother Sally and “she” decide to use me as a victim, OMG;-
Mac Fingall and his crew were out in full force, cartoon characters and all;-
Superheroes and movie characters were all over Kensington… Whether from Krypton and a spit-curl that looks like it was zapped by Luthor;-
Or a Na’Vi and a muscular version of Cats?
You’ll find more pics in the Photo Gallery section…
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