LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Published on: 3/12/07 Compliments of the Barbados Nation news

West Indies' cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers speaking during the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup at Trelawny Stadium, Jamaica, yesterday. (AP Picture)

THE WORLD'S GREATEST CRICKETER, Barbados National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers (above), last night officially declared open the first Cricket World Cup (CWC) to be held in the Caribbean.

A little before 7:30 p.m. Jamaica time (8:30 p.m. local time), the Barbados and West Indies legend walked to the podium, amidst loud cheers and salutations from players, officials and a 10 000-strong crowd, to "call play".

"On behalf of the West Indies," he declared, "it is my honour and privilege to declare this ninth tournament of the ICC Cricket World Cup officially open."

And with that announcement, an explosion of fireworks heralded the official start to a tournament that CWC chief executive officer Chris Dehring said was the West Indies' moment in time.

As a further salute to Sir Garry, stiltwalkers from Barbados paid tribute to him, as well as West Indies skipper Brian Lara, during their riveting performance as part of a high-intensity entertainment package.

March 13th 2007 Compliments of the Barbados Nation News by HAYDN GILL in Jamaica

THE REHEARSALS and warm-ups are over. Today it is serious business. And following yesterday's final practice session at Kensington Park in Jamaica, Brian Lara and his men geared themselves mentally for their first mission of Cricket World Cup 2007 – beat the Pakistanis in today's lead-off first-round match of the tourney. Here (from left) Lara, Dwayne Smith, Kieron Pollard and Daren Powell going through a final exercise routine. (Picture by Brooks LaTouche Photography.) < Read more >

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