The Leinster all-rounder is not out of place in the company of well-established test players like Dwayne Bravo and Kiwi Ross Taylor in a star-studded team that had been billed tournament favourites before a ball was bowled. However, after two away losses in the opening games they will need to win the next three home games to qualify for the semi-finals later in the month.
Kev has been a great ambassador for Cricket Ireland and although it is not part of his remit, he has done much to keep Ireland’s name at the forefront of international cricket. In a way that’s not been difficult after his world record heroics against England in India several years ago as everyone here recalls that prodigious feat with great affection. Kev mixes easily with all the players and when I met him for lunch last Thursday he was deep in conversation with Match Referee and legendary South African all-rounder Mike Proctor about the merit of the Review System. Mixed views all round I gleaned! Later we met up with former New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor who has a great rapport with Kev, and it was these two overseas players who figured prominently in a bizarre match against the Barbados Tridents at the Kensington Oval last Saturday night.
The stadium was packed, a far cry from the paltry crowds that follow test cricket these days, and they were treated to one of the most amazing Twenty20 games in history. Red Steel they may be called, but their batting could not have been more brittle as they were tumbled out for a meagre 52 by the gentle spin of Shakib Al Hasan (6-6). Taylor looked in great nick, but just as he was getting into full swing he was adjudged LBW to a ball that Hawkeye thought was going over the stumps. No review here and the ensuing batting madness showed how fickle batting can be when everyone goes for big hits. Shakib didn’t need to do much as the Trinis all succumbed to batting mayhem and big Kev was left stranded at the other end. He was 9th man out to a defensive prod trying to keep the innings alive as the other batsmen created their own demise.
Chasing 53 to win nobody in the ground thought anything other than a comfortable home win. Victory was virtually confirmed after Sulimann Benn conceded 20 off the first over. Then enter the fiery little pacer Fidel Edwards, ironically playing against the Bajan franchise. He was virtually unplayable. Fidel took five wickets in one of the finest spells of pace bowling seen as the Oval and although the inevitable happened the Tridents were fortunate their target was so low. Barbados lost six wickets and the whole game was over in less than 20 overs!
It was sensational stuff albeit batting insanity. Roll on the next game.
This is circus and everyone loves it.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
