‘Lang time had am cricket match, now yuh gat…’
AFTER a very long time, I heard the original version of the popular Guyanese song, “dis time nah lang time”, done by Betty and friends. While musical accompaniment has changed over the years, it was pleasant to hear just a few instruments, some even makeshift. I think I heard the “dholak” (drum) and possibly a spoon hitting a bottle to produce the melodious tune it is. I could be wrong. Maybe it’s just my memory of seeing guys making a table sound like a “dholak” and using the spoon-and-bottle combination to facilitate merriment at a time when finding such was, for many, an escape from the arduous challenges of eking a livelihood.
While life was indeed challenging back then, a few things provided comfort and probably distraction. In addition to banging a table and singing generally out-of-tune, (some were talented), cricket provided an impetus of hope. Then, the highly competitive gentleman’s game induced a sense of euphoria among loyal fans. Those who owned a transistor radio were stuck to them. Those who didn’t ensured they were in close proximity to one. The eager passer-by never hesitated to ask, “What’s the score?” Back then, cricket was indeed a success story.
Guyanese from across the country queued up overnight outside Bourda to secure tickets to see some of the country’s greatest cricketing sons like Rohan Kanhai, Lance Gibbs, Roy Fredricks, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Clive Lloyd, Alvin Kalicharran and Colin Croft. Their cricketing wizardry fashioned a craving for ecstatic followers. An exhibition to this masterly craft or failure by the stars was the catalyst for discussions among fans who always felt they were more knowledgeable on the game. These lively banters became a part of the cricketing culture.
Those who were fortunate to follow the game in the 60s-80s, especially the first two World Cups, will know how those tremendous achievements impacted positively both locally and internationally and the unifying effect these sons and their contemporaries from the region, would have brought. Fans here stayed glued to their transistor radios to hear Kanhai smash a six while “lying flat”, or when Freddo and Kalicharran punished Lillie and Thompson or when Croft demolished Pakistan or when Solomon hit the stumps from the outfield that led to the famous tied-test or when Lloyd lifted the 1975 World Cup Trophy heralding an era of West Indies dominance.
Guyana produced many great cricketers, among the best the world has seen. Lang time, people talked cricket and regional matches attracted full houses at grounds here. Not so far back, who could forget, during the late 80s when Dhaniram constantly caressed Garner and others for four at Bourda! Who could forget a towering Garner, with hands akimbo, looking down at a diminutive Dhaniram just after he would he would have slapped the “Big-bird” for consecutive boundaries. Then the topical issues were Sudesh of Saddam. Those days of glory and unity in the fraternity, are still pleasantly etched in the memories of those who were fortunate to witness or just listened.
Now, cricket fans must be profoundly saddened to see the depth to which the local administration of this sport has reached. It is ironic that this gentleman’s game which has proven its immeasurable worth in promoting unity, is now woefully suffering from a lack thereof. More so, given the seemingly bleak outlook of West Indies cricket on the whole at a time where innovation is badly needed for the game’s survival, the current impasse does not help an already bad situation, which can now, only be described as embarrassing.
Guyana is unfortunately attracting negative publicity which clearly has its genesis in a lack of vision and poor management of the sport by the organisation (s) so entrusted. Over the years, the PPP/C government has rebuilt Guyana’s international image ensuring that Guyana is no longer known only for the despicable Jonestown tragedy. At a time when, as a nation, we are to build on these successes, cricket is in the limelight for the wrong reasons. The High Court ruled, and government decided to intervene in the interest of saving the game, the same way building the Stadium ensured the longevity of cricket here. Despite its rich history, a water-logged Bourda would not have made the cut.
That intervention brought tremendous benefits, not only to cricket, but to sports in general. Cricket indeed has seen better days. Sadly those days are lost as are the patrons. Regional matches are now played to empty stands. It is probably slightly better for Tests, but not inspiring. What is even sadder is government getting the wrong end of the stick, having intervened, with good intentions. All Guyanese, especially cricket enthusiasts, must advocate for better management, accountability and unrelenting dedication to the development of the sport by those who claimed to be entrusted and who would seemingly do whatever it takes to stay in the limelight despite allegations of improprieties and controversial elections.
No longer must the board believe that they operate “czar-like” in a vacuum. It’s easy to cast blame on government when things go wrong, even though they are not responsible. In this case, the intervention to save the game was in response to an order from the High Court. A lack of response would have become an issue. Cricket fans are not adverse to interventions to bring back respectability to the administration of the game. Only the few “czars” in the Board seem different. I am sure if Betty and her friends are around, then they would have rewritten some lyrics to say, “…lang time had am cricket match, now yuh gat am fighting match”. Who knows, she may have traded the “dholak” for the electric drums! Yes Betty, dis time nah lang time!