A lesson from the Windwards

The recent triumph of the Windward Islands cricket team in the regional One-Day tournament - the Red Stripe Bowl - bears a lesson we would all do well to appreciate. For years this cluster of islands - Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica and St.Vincent - have endured some of the worst results in regional cricket and while the other territories enjoyed success in various versions of the game at one time or another, the Windwards would always be left to slink back home, licking the wounds of their latest defeat.

The perennial Cinderellas of West Indies cricket, as one writer termed them, they were often forgotten in the euphoria of the winners.

It was as president of the Windward Islands Cricket Board, Lennox John, admitted sometimes a bitter pain, the monotony of being beaten again and again.

Yet, the Windwards did not lose hope, nor did they run from the challenge and the arduous road ahead. Quietly and with determination, they went about their in-house business; planning and charting a course for the future of their cricket. They knew it wasn't going to be easy nor would things turn around overnight but as the time-worn adage says: 'Where there's a will, there's a way.'

So fittingly, as if saving their best for the new millennium, the minnows of Caribbean cricket rose to the mountain top this year. Victory and, dare we say, vengeance was theirs.

When captain Rawl Lewis hoisted the impressive Red Stripe Bowl skyward at Sabina Park, Jamaica, on October 22, it was the first time in 11 seasons that the Windwards were claiming a piece of senior regional silverware.

His comments following his team's win over the Leeward Islands in the final, spoke volumes about the significance of the outcome for cricketers and fans from the Windward Islands.

'We are going to get more respect from the public, the (West Indies Cricket) Board and from everybody. It's good for Windwards cricket.'

Few people could have been happier than John, a veteran servant of Windward Islands cricket and one who has always believed that they have the capacity to rise to top in regional cricket. While still in high spirits and accepting congratulations from across the world, he capsuled the Windwards journey from oblivion to the headlines.

'Most people seem surprised that we've been able to work our way to the top but we know what we have been doing. This is the result of hard work and it shows that our development programme is beginning to pay dividends at Under-19 level,' he said.

It was truly the youngsters who led the way in the Windwards. Remember that their Under-19 team captured the regional title during the summer and four heroes from that side - Devon Smith (Grenada), Rommell Currency (St. Vincent), Shane Shillingford (Dominica) and Kenroy Peters (St. Vincent), figured prominently in the senior team.

Now that the champagne has been consumed and the cheers have subsided, it is for the Windwards to use this accomplishment as inspiration for the future.

The Busta Cup four-day tournament beckons and John and company will want to prove the Red Stripe Bowl success was no fluke and, for the first time in ages, lots of eyes will probably be on the Windwards.