A West Indies XI continued the torture that they used to dish out to opponents when they ruled as the undisputed kings of world cricket, as they outplayed and outclassed a World XI Sunday at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium.

Led by Sir Viv Richards, the West Indians defeated a World’s XI on Saturday October 10, 2009 at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium by 52 runs in the first of two Twenty20 matches in the 2009 Grenada Cricket Classics.

Batting first, the West Indies XI chalked a challenging 195 for four in their 20 overs. Led by some fearsome hitting by Junior Murray with 61 off 42 ball which included 9 fours and 2 sixes, Phil Simmons with 55 off 31 balls inclusive 5 fours and 4 sixes, and a rambunctious 55 by Martin Nurse off 20 balls with 3 fours and 6 sixes as the bowlers were taken to the cleaners.

Andy Caddick finished with one for 33 from his four overs, Peter Surch one for 50 off three overs, and Nick Cook with one for 50 off four were the most successful bowlers.

Former England fast bowler Devon Malcolm was unable to get any success, finishing with one for
16 off three overs, and Ian Harvey none for 23 off three overs.

Then came the show as Curtly Ambrose (2 for 14 off 3 overs), and Walsh who was unlucky not to take a wicket, showed why they were one of the most destructive fast bowling duos.

Bowling from the Players Pavilion End, Ambrose immediately hit a length that sent a message to his aging counterparts that it would be business as usual. No free lunch would be on offer, and when Naill O’Brien tried to break free of the shackles attempting a punch through square on the off-side,
Keith Arthurton pulled off another stunning catch; O’Brien was sent packing without scoring.

In his second over, Mal Loye flicked Ambrose off his legs for six, and soon suffered the wrath of the big man. Despite having lost a few yards of pace and coming of a much shortened run, Ambrose bowled a few yards quicker after that shot.

The bat was beaten from that end on, and then Murray collected a straightforward catch behind to end Loye’s misery; departing for 10.

Stuart Law who hit a 47-ball 44 before being smartly caught and bowled by Arthurton, and Rock Bailey with 45 off 24 balls before he was stumped by Murray off Rawle Lewis; were the only batsmen to make a serious case of replying to the West Indian score.

Winston Benjamin took one for 29 off three overs, Lewis 2 for 25 off four overs, and Arthurton 2 for 36 off four overs along with Ambrose two wickets, were the successful bowlers for the for kings of world cricket.

In addition to Walsh remaining wicketless, Franklyn Stephenson despite hitting a troubling line and length form ball one, did not take a wicket, finishing with none for 25 off three overs.

In the second game played on Sunday afternoon at the same venue before a large and appreciative crowd, the World XI reached 125 in their 20 overs, with Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh not bowling.

However the West Indies XI went on to win with Junior Murray finishing off proceedings with another boundary, ensuring that as Walsh stated after the game, “we have reputations and a legacy to protect.”

It was a classy and clinical display by the Caribbean legends over their old foes. It was, according to a fan, “a demonstration of what training and commitment brings out; total class.”