Kelly

Looks like I should have taken up cricket. That's what I realise when I see all the money going to persons who play the game at the international level. Of course, it would mean I would have to know how to play. The bat never feels right in my hands and I would have to fling to generate any pace. Forget about being a spinner! My wrists hurt just from brushing my hair too hard!

Texas billionaire Allen Stanford has proposed a 20/20 match between a Caribbean all-star team and maybe Australia or India. Now, I like how he is trying to revive the game in the Caribbean. But the thought of giving away (get this) US$20 million to the winner seems a little too extravagant.

All that money for a 20/20 game? Not even a one-day match? For that kind of money, he should make it a 10-day Test match! At least when you get through that one, you can truly say you deserve every penny, dime, 'Nanny' and 'Joshie'.

Concern

All this money floating around cricket concerns me. Back in the day, people played for the love of the game. Now, I get the feeling it's just to get paid! And with Stanford, paid they will get!

Now, I do believe that tournaments like Stanford's are good for the region. Even I can see how much tourism and interest must be pouring into Antigua and Barbuda. Plus, more persons who live in countries where cricket is hardly played are learning about the game.

But when Jamaica's 20/20 squad returned last Monday, captain Chris Gayle made a statement which could be interpreted to mean that they were in it for the money. This just heightens some of the fears persons have that money has totally taken over the game. I'm willing to give Gayle the benefit of the doubt and say that the flight attendant didn't give him something he asked for, so he was a little grumpy.

Stanford's one-off match will probably still be a big hit anyway. But speaking of big hits, was I the only one hit for six by attorney Valerie Neita-Robertson asking if her comments were going to be edited while she was LIVE? As in ON AIR? Oh dear!

The 20/20 phenomenon is quite catchy and it would be nice to see who makes the all-star side. I just hope that whoever wins the match, provided it happens, gives me some of the winnings!

Howzzat at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com

Antigua and Barbuda's Wilden Cornwall is caught by Guyana's wicketkeeper Derwin Christian off the bowling of Lennox Cush (out of picture) for nought, during their Stanford 20/20 quarter-final at the Stanford Cricket Ground, recently. - Photo courtesy of the Stanford 20/20 website