SOUTHAMPTON, England, (CMC) - For two reasons, yesterday’s last preliminary match in the three-nation One-day International cricket series between West Indies and New Zealand was extra special.
It would have signalled the ODI debut of West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy and would also have marked a record 239th ODI for West Indies captain Brian Lara.
Both were left to ponder what could have been when rain, just prior to a revised starting time, forced the abandonment of the match without a ball being bowled.
For Sammy, it would have been a really big moment. He would have become the first St Lucian to play international cricket for West Indies.
“Every cricketer, who gets a call up to the senior squad is obviously looking forward to playing, but rain is something beyond our control and, while I am disappointed, my turn will come eventually and, when it comes, I will gladly take it,” remarked Sammy.
“I was keeping my fingers crossed when I knew I was in the side, just to go out there and wear West Indies colours for the first time, but it came pouring again and there is nothing I can do about that.”
Sammy, the 20-year-old former Young West Indies all-rounder, was gaining valuable experience working on the Marylebone Cricket Club staff in England when he got the call for West Indies.
“I must say that I have learnt a lot from this tour being a new member in this team and I am looking to gain more experience whether I play or not,” he said.
“That is why I really wanted to play because maybe if I had a good opportunity to show what I am capable of doing, then who knows I could have gotten a chance in the final.
“To the people in St Lucia who I know are very anxious for me to play a game I would like to say, ‘… just be patient, my turn will come, and when I get it, I promise to do my best’.”
Sammy is not likely to feature in tomorrow’s final of the three-nation series against New Zealand at Lord’s and is not part of the 16-member squad that will confront England in the subsequent four-Test series.
He will probably have to wait until the ICC Champions Trophy Series In England, where he will again hope to gain selection to the squad and eventually break into the final 11.
For Lara, this match would have given him a West Indies record of appearances in ODIs and add to his long lists of accolades.
Lara would have surpassed Barbadian Desmond Haynes’ 238 ODI appearances for West Indies.
He is only one of five West Indies with more than 200 ODI matches. The others are all former West Indies captains - Carl Hooper (227), Richie Richardson (224), and Courtney Walsh (205).
Persistent overnight and early morning rain, as well as a wet outfield had forced a delayed start until 11:32 a.m. (East Caribbean Time) and a reduction to 20 overs-a-side.
Lara had won the toss and chosen to field, but any hopes of cricket were dashed when a sharp shower arrived and drenched the Rose Bowl with umpires Daryl Harper of Australia and David Shepherd of England making their way out to the middle.
The match was purely of academic interest to the series however. Both teams have qualified ahead of hosts England for tomorrow’s final at Lord’s.