SPORTS
Come on Beckles
“Arrange a cricket match during the carnival and we’ll be there (at the TT).”
This was what Barmy Army Ltd managing director Chris Millard told Newsday at the Hewitt and Inniss Stand at Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Thursday.
He was explaining that the Barmy Army is willing to experience different cultures and believes that members will be open to traveling to TT more often.
A total of 7,500 supporters have traveled to Barbados for the second Test match between West Indies and England at Kensington Oval. The Barmy Army travel the world in their thousands supporting the England cricket team.
Barbados is a popular destination for the Barmy Army with beaches that are among the most pristine in the Caribbean and hotels to suit everyone’s tastes.
English touring parties, who travel to the Caribbean, tend to influence where matches are played in the region.
The Barmy Army has its own marquee at Kensington Oval selling merchandise.
During the second day’s match on Thursday, Millard gave reasons why Barbados is a popular destination for England fans.
He said, “Over 10,000 (Army Barmy fans are in the Caribbean) throughout the Three Test series, about 7,500 in Barbados a minute.”
Other England tour parties and fans packed Kensington Oval making up more than 90 per cent of the crowd.
“Obviously the sunset (is special), the sea and everything that Barbados sells with the wonderful people, wonderful cricket, the wonderful atmosphere around the island. You also have great food, great drinks, great restaurants, great hotels.”
Places like TT and Guyana aren’t blessed with beaches like most other Caribbean islands, but Millard hopes Army Barmy can make a trip to the southern Caribbean again.
“It’s great to see Barbados, Antigua and Grenada clearly on this tour, but it would be great to see more islands…we’ve toured in the past, Trinidad and Guyana…it would be great to get back there .”
Less international cricket is played in Trinidad due to the number of international facilities in the region available, including Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and St Kitts. Matches have spread across the region since the 2007 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup was held in the Caribbean, as venues were built or upgraded to comply with ICC regulations.
Millard said England fans would be open to experiencing activities such as hiking in other Caribbean countries.
The TT carnival attracts thousands of visitors each year and Millard said the cricket and carnival at the same time could encourage English fans.
“This is going to be great. Organize a cricket game around Carnival and we’ll be there.”
Barmy Army trumpeter Simon Finch entertained the contingent by playing his instrument as England batsmen hit boundaries on day two. Finch has been the trumpet player for Barmy Army since June 2021.
