The West Indies rule cricket even if they don't. They are the equivalent of the New York Yankees (baseball) and Manchester United in this way: if they win, everyone celebrates and if they lose its always when are they going to win. Something about these guys to draws literary attention from the Oxford educated types. But unlike those two dynasties mentioned above, these guys are loved by the road team fans by men and women. The saying" "women love them and men want to be like them." You can ask Viv Richards on that one. LOL. In short, West Indies are cool even if they don't back it up.
Now, trying to be like one (I'm Indian)? Many of have tried but failed. Some have succeeded. Others try to be English and so on but have landed on their face. Too much emotional quandary. Many women get turned off by that including the English women themselves. Glenn McGrath? On the other hand, West Indies players come and guarantee victory and do their victory dance while the P.A system is on in Colombo? Yet, the spectators, are respectful with no booing, rioting, and throwing objects on the field (unlike the baseball game in Atlanta or Detroit). Matter of fact, they were cheering as if they didn't want to offend their home team. Now, if that had been India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, Australia, and so on. Better yet, ask those countries' fans what they would do, if the those countries win in their country with that kind of flamboyance or just simply win?
The game itself showed that offense wins games but defense wins championships. However, I didn't think the West Indies defense was spectacular but it was solid. For that matter, Sri Lanka played a great game on both sides of the ball but for some careless swings by their batsmen, they could have easily won in front of their home fans. But the West Indies are loved by the enemy team and fans alike unlike the St. Louis Cardinals or San Francisco Giants (riot gear appeal). And for this fan, I want to be like them. Go Man, Go!
Now, trying to be like one (I'm Indian)? Many of have tried but failed. Some have succeeded. Others try to be English and so on but have landed on their face. Too much emotional quandary. Many women get turned off by that including the English women themselves. Glenn McGrath? On the other hand, West Indies players come and guarantee victory and do their victory dance while the P.A system is on in Colombo? Yet, the spectators, are respectful with no booing, rioting, and throwing objects on the field (unlike the baseball game in Atlanta or Detroit). Matter of fact, they were cheering as if they didn't want to offend their home team. Now, if that had been India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, Australia, and so on. Better yet, ask those countries' fans what they would do, if the those countries win in their country with that kind of flamboyance or just simply win?
The game itself showed that offense wins games but defense wins championships. However, I didn't think the West Indies defense was spectacular but it was solid. For that matter, Sri Lanka played a great game on both sides of the ball but for some careless swings by their batsmen, they could have easily won in front of their home fans. But the West Indies are loved by the enemy team and fans alike unlike the St. Louis Cardinals or San Francisco Giants (riot gear appeal). And for this fan, I want to be like them. Go Man, Go!