Drawn Match in Port of Spain

A disappointing end to what was poised as a great day of cricket, the Second Test between the West Indies and Australia at Queens Park Oval here in Port of Spain finished in a draw, as the rain washed out the final day. The match ended whilst the covers were on, and the rain falling, and with the majority of the Waving The Flag crew having beers and cocktails in the All Out Bar in the Member's Stand.


With the day before seeing just 30 overs, and Melissa and I taking our daytrip to Tobago, we were keen to soak in the last day of cricket, which was also Melissa's last day on tour. With Springer, we walked around the Queens Park Savannah and past the Magnificent Seven one last time, mainly due to flooding due to the rain the day before, and to soggy look of the massive patch of land.

Australia resumed it's second innings at 3 for 73, and batted past lunch, working on a target for the West Indies reply, and a timely declaration several wickets after Lunch by Clarke had the match at a point where either team could win, but the Aussies confident.

As the Aussie attack was a bowler down with Pattinson reportedly on a plane home due to a back injury, Hilfenhaus did some damage early with 2 quick fire scalps, and spirits in our stand were high.

This shifted pretty quickly with Sammy taking to some loose bowling, and lofting the ball over the fence...and the possibility of the WIndies doing this easy was asserted. But alas, we could see the rain approaching over our shoulders and the mountains in view, and the players were offered the light. As soon as they were off the rain started, and didn't let up for the rest of the day. Such a shame, because this game was set for a cracking finish!

Queens Park Oval, with the mountains around Trinidad just beyond, and the views of the ocean out the other way, is really one of the most picturesque cricket grounds around the world. The characters of the locals, and the food and drink sellers, also make it an amazing place to visit for the cricket. Having beer served to you at your seat is always a winner! With the corn soup and roti for lunch add to the flavour of Trinidad.