Calypso Beats in the Caribbean - A culture that refuses to die - Opinion
Reggae music, calypso beats and a penchant for having fun in the sun is probably an underrated way of describing how cricket is approached in the Caribbean. Yet as times have gone by and the West Indies have continued to disappoint their supporters, the
legacy in the stands, which was ignited during the 1980s has continued unabated. The concept of cricket in the West Indies will always live up to the charm that the Caribbean is known for. One would always expect plenty of flamboyance, color and culture in
a land where tourism dominates.
In the occasional bursts on the field which translate into victory for the home side, islands such as St Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Kitts and the Nevis have witnessed their venues rock to the sound of leather hitting willow
with impunity. The same can be said when the stump is seen cart wheeling out of the ground or a spectacular catch is taken. The occasional disappointments however, don’t seem to irk the fervent supporters anymore who consider failure as being characteristic
of the West Indies in recent times. Yet that in itself is a damning indictment as it could jeopardize the manner in which cricket is approached in the Caribbean. If the West Indies continue to come up with dismal performances, the culture of steel pan, limbos
and distinct beats might become a thing of the past. As safe as that assumption may sound, it is still open to all sorts of interpretations.
Since the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, touring sides have benefitted from encountering a side that plays with a distinct style and resides in a region that has a distinct aura. It is simply impossible to dislike the manner in which cricket is viewed,
revered and treated in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760. Beautiful ladies, the overwhelming Carib Beer, dancing in the aisles and raucous laughter emanating from the stands is nothing but a taste of what the archipelago has to offer. The same culture can be felt in the longest
format of the game as well, albeit with less intensity. A bouncer bowled in a serene setting at Lord's in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 for example, might elicit a few oohs and aahs from the passionate supporter but if the same delivery was deployed by someone in the Caribbean,
it would be met with horns blaring, steel pans being pounded hard and music being blared from a distance. In the West Indies, the locals will know what is coming and will make sure that the opposition and the home side know it too.
After the disappointment of the controversy ridden 2007 Cricket World Cup, the distinct Caribbean culture was feared to have become extinct. Restrictions were levied by the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 in terms of the flavor that was to be on view in the stands yet the body quickly
learnt that restrictions were not the call of the day if a global tournament is taking place in the Caribbean. The 2010 T20 World Cup acted as much needed compensation and became the ideal example of what the Caribbean had to offer in terms of cricket. In
a uniquely global setting, the tournament witnessed dancing cheerleaders, blaring horns, trumpets being blown from a distance and the all important tapping of the feet in the stands. The results were almost eclipsed by the celebrations that were on view which
made the venues a sacred place.
Whether the West Indies disappoints or comes out with something special, the carnival that is witnessed in the federation would always be omnipresent.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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