Last weekend, the long-anticipated rematch between Barbados X1 and St Vincent and the Grenadines cricket teams for the Erold Lashley Charity Shield took place at the Atrium Health Club in Reading, United Kingdom.
The inaugural event was held last year in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, the spiritual home of Vincentians in England, while this year’s venue change acknowledged Barbadians in Reading Berkshire, which is reputed to have the highest density of Barbadians in the UK.
On a hot sunny day with over a thousand spectators, an almighty roar was heard as resident cricket commentator Jeff Hinds announced the team’s entry in their brightly colored cricket gear. This resonated with the thousand-plus crowd, as they looked forward to supporting their national teams. Billed as a grudge match, as Barbados won the first game, the variety of arts and crafts, food stalls, plentiful bars and a backdrop of soca music all added to the carnival atmosphere.
Excitement heightened as the Bajan team captain, Carleon Brome, chose to bat first on a featherbed pitch, and his team quickly amassed 230 runs in the allotted overs. In their reply, SVG made a spirited effort but only amassed a score of 143. Mr. Reagan McClean, brother of former Windies cricketer Nixon McClean, was this year’s Vincentian Team Captain. The Man of the Match for the Vincentian Team was awarded to Mr. Maxford Pipe, who scored 79 runs not out, while Demario Roach was the Man of the Match for the Bajan team.
Although the Vincentian team lost the match again, attendees said the event was delightful and commended both High Commissions for their collaborative effort in organizing it. The two host countries intend to make this an annual event to raise funds for charities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados that work with persons with physical disabilities and those who suffer from mental health issues.
Present at the event were specially invited guests, including the High Commissioners of Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Mr. Milton Inniss and His Excellency Mr. Cenio Lewis, respectively; the Mayor of Reading, Councilor David Stevens; and the Deputy Mayor of High Wycombe, Councilor Maz Hussain.
