Left: Former Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler, Michael Holding.   Center:Desmond Haynes   Right: Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd. - File photos

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

The heroes of cricket were celebrated in high style and jubilation at 'A Toast To Cricket' at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel last Monday night. A sense of West Indian pride was strong as persons gathered to remember and award the past members of the West Indies team who dominated cricket.

Opening with the National Anthem and a salute from local cadets, Peter Bunting chairman of JAMPRO, made the first remarks for the night. He commented on the West Indian team of 1975 who was a zenith of 1970s nationalism. JAMPRO used the opportunity to help launch their 'Brand Jamaica' to show the world that in today's age Jamaica means business. Noted sports announcer Tony Cozier insightfully discussed cricket then and now.

He talked about the inherent love for what he called 'this strange, strange game'. According to Cozier cricket gave a sense of West Indian pride, a regional rather than national pride. When a player plays cricket he is not referred to as a Trinidadian, Jamaican/Bajan but as a West Indian. After outlining that cricket has not changed much, that the players now display some of the expert technique of cricketers of the past, Cozier made a well applauded exit. Throughout the night music was provided live by Peter Ashbourne who smoothly moved from jazz, classical to reggae.

Time to honour

The Minister of Information and Development Donald Buchanan was the keynote speaker in the absence of the Prime Minister. After a brief speech and dinner, it was time to honour the greats as a montage of their player profile played on screen. Honoured were: Anderson Roberts, Alvin Kallicharran, Bernard Julien, Clive Lloyd, Colin Croft, Deryck Murray, Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, Joel Garner, Lance Gibbs, Maurice Foster, Rohan Kanhai, Sir Vivian Richards, Collis King, Larry Gomes, Sheik F Bacchus, Vanburn Holder and Micheal Holding. Each cricketer was given the first and only blend of 1975 and 1979 rums, entitled 'The First Legends'. The blend was done by master blender Joy Spence, the first female master blender in the world.

It was obvious as the crowd stood to officially toast to cricket the love of the sport and its players. It was a moment that was made even more special by an artiste who also shares an open love for the sport, the legendary calyposian David Rudder, Rudder came on stage singing 'Rally for Them',he then went on to sing the chorus of another song as his own tribute to the greats.

Last but not least was the live auction, hosted by William Tavares-Finson who implored persons to bid on national pride. Up for bidding was a bat signed by the legendary 1975 team players present, another bat signed by Clive Lloyd, Man of the Match 1975 Prudential Club. There was also another bat signed by Joel 'Big Bird' Garner, as well as a bottle of the 'First Legends' Rum. The bids were sky high as the bat that was signed by the 1975 team went for J$2.5 million, the bat signed by Vivian Richards went for J$500,000 and both items were bought by one person. The bat signed by Clive Lloyd went for J$150,000 and the bottle of specially blended rum went for J$42,000.