Parklife A Great Escape

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Sabina Park - home to an electric crowd.

By Tristan Holme

I have to say that arriving in Kingston was something of a disappointment.

I had just undertaken a life-threatening but thrilling bus ride through jungle climes from the north coast to the south that took us through small towns and rural villages, and now I was in an environment that, from what I had heard, would be even more endangering to my existence than the previous four hours on the road.

Luckily, Kingston's bus depot turned out to be surprisingly relaxed, and before I had exited the deathtrap which had taken me there a friendly taxi driver popped his head in the window to offer his services.

I had no real idea where I would be staying, and when he recommended a place that was within walking distance of Sabina Park I decided to go with the flow and take his word for it.

He turned out to be as good as his word, though our relationship turned sour when he demanded far more money than I believed we had agreed and he drove off in a huff after I refused to bow to his demands.

My new abode also turned out to be less than savoury but with a tight budget I was in no position to complain, especially after a few phone calls brought the realisation that any western establishment in the town would break my bank in no time at all.

'Ah, the life of a backpacker,' I mused. 'Let's hope the cricket turns out to be good, because there doesn't seem to be much else to do around here.'

And turn out good it did, as the experience of Sabina Park packed to capacity lifted my spirits immensely.

In my limited experience of cricket grounds around the world I have yet to encounter such a vociferous crowd, spurred on by the brass band and a victory for the home side.

The masses went wild whenever their side bowled so much as a dot ball, and 'electric' does not even begin to describe the atmosphere as the West Indies did a lap of honour after the final wicket had fallen.

It's highly unlikely that the rest of the games in Group D will draw such a crowd, but I reckon there's some good cricket on its way nonetheless.

Certainly worth braving life in my dodgy room for anyway...