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Journalism of Courage
Paceman Anderson Cummins will become only the second man to play for two teams in the World Cup if he turns out for Canada against last World Cup8217;s surprise semi-finalists Kenya on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old Barbadian-born fast bowler featured for the West Indies in the 1992 tournament and thought his chances of appearing in another World Cup had long gone. But after moving to Canada in 1996, he became involved in local cricket there and worked his way into the national team for this year8217;s showpiece, allowing him to return to the Caribbean where he is hoping to spring some surprises. 8220;We recognise that playing to our potential can get us a place in the second round,8221; he said last week.
However, he is probably best remembered for a game he was not selected for. In the Barbados Test against South Africa in 1992, the Proteas8217; first back in the international arena, West Indies picked Kenny Benjamin ahead of him leading to an uproar among his native Kensington Oval crowd.
Many boycotted the match and a sign reading 8220;No Cummins, No Goings8221; has entered Caribbean cricket folklore. Cummins, two months from his 41st birthday, is a long way from the player he was in 1992 but he is eager to prove he deserves his place in history.
Kenya on the other hand retain the core that steered them to the last four in South Africa in 2003. The man in charge once again is Steve Tikolo, who has epitomised Kenyan cricket for more than a decade. A middle-order batsman who relies on his eye as much as technique and can attack or defend as the situation demands, besides possessing a wide range of strokes. He has led Kenya in the post Maurice Odumbe era, and has done so by example. Tikolo has a more than able deputy in the form of all rounder Thomas Odoyo.
