THE greatest cricketer who has ever lived was casting an expert eye from the umpire’s position behind the bowlers’ stumps.
Test cricket’s highest wicket-taker was rolling back the hands of the clock and sending down a few deliveries from an action that was one of the most identifiable in the game for 17 years.
The day before, another giant, literal and figurative, from an earlier era was passing on his knowledge to his youthful successors.
Yesterday’s presence at UWI’s Three Ws Oval of Sir Garry Sobers and Courtney Walsh for the West Indies’ final practice session on the eve of today’s third Test against Australia, and Joel Garner’s earlier involvement at the BDF ground at Paragon, were both symbolic and significant.
A team under a new captain and an interim coach, initially disturbed by controversy and confusion and subsequently decimated by injury finds itself 2-0 down against the most intimidating opponents of the day. It is in danger of succumbing to the first clean sweep in a home Test series in the 75 years the West Indies have enjoyed the status.
It is time for all good men to come to the aid of the party and Sobers, Walsh and Garner were there to do their bit.
Like them, Michael Holding, Colin Croft and others who made West Indies great in the past have been often seen this series quietly guiding and encouraging a group of young players who, in spite of the two numerically heavy losses, are at last showing the ability and, more so, the pluck needed to stand up to the best.
Nor did they have to be coerced. The open verbal invitation from captain Brian Lara and coach Gus Logie have been eagerly accepted.
“They came of their own volition,” Lara explained of Sobers and Walsh. “Courtney spoke to me last night and said he was going to come down.”
“Sir Garry always wants to be involved,” he added. “He’s not only here physically but he’s been on the phone to me in Guyana and Trinidad and I’ve spoken to him a lot.”
Lara noted that, with nine of his squad of 14 under the age of 25, it is one of the youngest West Indies teams on record. Four are playing in their first series.
“Hopefully, they’ll grasp every minute of it and learn as quickly as possible from whatever advice is being given,” he said.