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75 years of Caribbean Cricket for BBC Radio 1Xtra
Documentary celebrating 75 years of Caribbean Cricket produced for the BBC digital and on-line black music station 1Xtra and broadcast as part of Black History month.
Mali Richards, son of one of the game’s most famous players, Sir Vivian Richards, explores the importance of cricket to the West Indian community in the UK and in the Caribbean, hearing views from players, commentators and fans.
Seventy five years ago the first West Indian cricket team made the long boat journey to England to face their then colonial masters. In the years since cricket has provided the one unifying force for a group of diverse and distinct nations. For the hundreds of thousands of Caribbean expat’s who live in the UK, cricket is the most tangible link home.
Inspiring art, music and endless debate, West Indies cricket has followed a rocky path. Mirroring the social and economic turbulence of the Caribbean, the success of the West Indies cricket team frequently reflects the state of its various constituent nations. When the Caribbean islands were winning independence, their cricket team was beating England at Lords.
There have never been more joyful scenes among the UK Caribbean community than the glorious summer of 1976 when the over-powering performance of the West Indies team led the English captain to grovel on the ground in humble respect.
Soca, Reggae, Calypso and vintage commentary provide a lively soundtrack to this celebration of seventy five years of West Indies cricket.
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