The Fourth Test Success

THE EDITOR: We had lost three test matches.
Had dropped so many catches.
Things looked terrible — gosh
We might be in for a whitewash.

Then came the fourth test in Antigua.
The Aussies were set to beleaguer.
The West Indies team once more
Of this they were quite sure.

Rudder’s ‘Rally round the West Indies’ could be heard.
Four hundred and eighteen runs to make was the word.
A tall order for the West Indies to deliver.
It made us all start to shiver.

Some of us could not bear to watch the screen.
The Aussies were prepared to be mean.
Would they make a clean sweep?
Would we have to gnash our teeth and weep?

This was a crucial time in cricket.
We needed might and mane and wicket.
Would our boys stand up to the test?
All they could do was their best.

Then Chanderpaul hit one hundred and four.
The crowd let out a mighty roar.
The heroic Vasbert Drakes
Hit some boundaries all for our sakes.

To the enterprising Omari Banks,
We owe our eternal thanks.
One hundred and twenty five years of cricketing history made.
The efforts of the West Indies would never fade.

Three cheers for Lara and the boys.
This is why cricket is one of our greatest joys.
Our faith was restored though we lost the series.
We will always ‘Rally round the West Indies.’

 Cynthia Hinkson