Dear Editor,
Congrats WI on your triumph against Sri Lanka on 10/04/08. Can someone say if Chanderpaul’s hit for six was the first in international cricket (one day) off the last ball with exactly six to win and probably, too, the ten runs off the last two balls?
Chanderpaul’s magnificence brought back fond memories of an Oscar-Award entry Indian movie some years ago named Lagaan (Land Tax). In it, an English side made up of British rulers, in an Indian district, challenged the poor Indians to a game of cricket after Amir Khan, the lead actor, called their game (cricket) stupid. If the Indians won, there would be no tax, if they lost the tax would be trebled. In the chase to win (six runs needed off the last ball) Amir hit the ball and it was caught by a British (Raj) fielder. All was quiet for a moment. Only the “whites” celebrated. But it was pointed out to the umpire that upon going back and back and back (just like the Sri Lankan captain who gave up and the ball went over his head) the fielder had crossed the boundary rope. That was celebration time because the final six off the last ball gave India victory.
That was a movie, but Chander did it in real life. Congrats also, Shiv, on your 7,559 test runs from all of us in Corriverton, Berbice.
Yours faithfully,
Artist Allim
