THE Parrot
The Parrot witnessed the finals of the Guyana Cricket Board cricket festival held last week at the Stadium. Guyana lost to Jamaica. Not that the result matter; being able to experience night cricket did. Despite the “blackouts”, the Stadium was well lit. The atmosphere was electrifying (no pun intended) with many screaming fans; the females bellowed vociferously to hoarseness, “Tiger”, “Ronnie”, and “Up-here”. There were many flashes from them; some not emanating from cameras.

Digicel girls, decked in red bikini-like shorts, strutted around the Guyana National Stadium at Providence during last weekend’s cricket. (Adrian Narine photos)

The males “outvoiced” them when the DGsell girls, decked in red bikini-like shorts strutted around to distribute paraphernalia. Male heads turned with jaws dropped and drool oozing. Other heads turned too. Female companions of the males who turned theirs, turned to see and slap. Who dare look at the girls in red whilst in the company of their lady? Ironically, the said females who slapped their male partners were the ones screaming for “Tiger” and “Ronnie”. Women! Can’t live with them, can’t live without them! Not too certain about the first part of this saying.

The cricket itself wasn’t very exciting. The fans were, some still in awe of the stadium.

Night cricket to international standards was beyond the embryonic stage of envisagement years ago. Today it’s a norm. The Stadium has indeed not only transformed the already transformed East Bank landscape; it has ensured that Guyana can host any related international event. Currently the Regional One-day tournament is being held here for the third consecutive year. This speaks volumes for Guyana’s ability to host these events.

Without the Stadium, not only was the hosting of Cricket World Cup 2007 impossible, but all subsequent events. Yet, one particular person feels that the Stadium should not have been built. He similarly feels that books must not be paid for. His kleptomaniac tendencies and his disdain for the Stadium are well documented. With thousands of Guyanese and foreigners flocking the Stadium, night or day, the Parrot would never rule out the attendance of the kleptomaniac Stadium-hater.

Many try to disguise themselves when attending a cricket match; some for competition purposes and some to hide their spouses’ competition from roving television cameras. Clive was caught when his wife saw him and her “competition” on TV during a match in England. Was big story. Since then the boys involved “hiding” from the cameras even though they are present. Paint facing, face covering and big straw hats are just a few items for “incognitoness”. Some even paint their whole body. Red and blue paint dominate despite no monetary reason to do so from DGsell and the Blue Power people.

With knowledge of this kind of disguising, some felt strongly that the kleptomaniac was present in disguise.

Those who were dressed as Freddie, Kruger that is since Halloween is now a big thing here, were natural suspects. Freddie disguising as Freddie! LOL! And loud it was. Not only from the natural voices of fans and the shrieks from those in Halloween costume or paint and whose privacy was “invaded” during the search for Freddie, but from noisy instruments. Air horns, drums and “blow-blows” were in abundance.

“Blow-blows” were selling cheap’ $100. It was indeed a sight to see big people, men and women, “blowing” hard. Just like how night cricket was unimaginable here years ago, just so was seeing men and women “blowing” in public. Guyana has indeed been transformed; with Stadium and all. Apparently, those who were “blowing” were visiting the Stadium for the first time. They thought that they could have freely “blow” since, being “night” cricket, nobody would have seen. Night cricket has been a revelation. Squawk! Squawk!