- The West Indies have actually made some of the greatest cricket users ever
- McFly’s Harry Judd flew to Antigua to play a charity suit along with the masters
- Other group members included former England leader Mike Gatting
Harry Judd For The Mail On Sunday
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Most people go to the Caribbean to relax on a golden beach, however as a lifelong fan and gamer of cricket, it’s difficult for me to believe of the Caribbean as just a tropical paradise.
The West Indies have actually made some of the greatest users ever – believe Sobers, Richards, Marshall, Lara and Gayle – so you can easily imagine my glee as quickly as I was invited to Antigua to play fulfills along with the Lord’s Taverners versus some of these past masters.
As a musician along with McFly and a winner of Strictly Come Dancing, I’ve enjoyed some incredible highs, however none compared to this.
Let’s play! Harry, far left, prepares for his beach game along with Sir Viv Richards, centre, and Mike Gatting
Set up in 1950 by a group of actors, the Taverners is the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity. Its objective is to offer young people, particularly those along with special needs, a ‘sporting chance’.
To celebrate the charity’s 65th anniversary last year, I joined a group of current and former professionals and celebrities on the tour of Antigua and neighbouring Barbuda.
Our group included BBC sports presenter Mark Chapman and former England leader Mike Gatting.
I jumped at the opportunity to take part. Not only was there the obvious attraction of playing cricket however additionally the much more serious business of raising money to advice young people, and visiting projects in Antigua that the Taverners are already supporting.
One of the vital points that the charity does is hand out equipment to the local cricket groups – most of the pads, bats, balls and gloves are donated by current and former England players.
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In recent years, the popularity of cricket in the Caribbean has actually been dwindling as much more and much more youngsters play basketball and football instead.
But there is still a pretty special vibe concerning Caribbean cricket – people such as Sir Viv Richards, that comes from Antigua, are major icons.
We were delighted to attract a substantial crowd for our Twenty20 suit at the Viv Richards Stadium.
Much to our delight, we defeated a group managed by the man himself.
I was bowled by Courtney Walsh, an additional legend of West Indies cricket, so there was surely no shame in that.
This was my second visit to Antigua. My initial was along with my now-wife and her family concerning 6 years ago and we fell in love along with the place.
We adored seeking out some quiet spots on the island and relaxing along with a good book. as quickly as we’re on holiday we don’t wish to be terribly active.
But as quickly as you’re along with the Taverners, of course, it’s all concerning being active.
Potent: The island’s famed rum punches sure lived up to their name, as Harry and his teammates found out
So as quickly as you hit the beach, there’s no time for reading – it has actually to be a game of beach cricket.
We agreed to play Sir Viv’s group again however they were late getting there – and let’s merely say by the time they arrived, most of the Taverners were well refreshed thanks to potent rum cocktails.
As I was one of the only sober ones there, Mike Gatting appointed me captain.
The wicket was concerning 20 yards from the sea – the rule was that if you struck the ball in to the water, it counted as a boundary.
I managed to score a quickfire 40 and everyone had a terrific laugh.
More compared to anything, the experience taught me that if you wish to get hold of under the skin of an additional country, then sport is the perfect means in.
You don’t have actually to be touring along with a group – travel about and you will certainly almost surely encounter a great game on a village green or a beach.
But if you’re preparation to pick up a bat, my recommendations is to continue to be well clear of the rum punch first…
from Golden Land Travel http://ift.tt/212Drat
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