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September 24, 2020

TKR – a model team of inspiration

By Felix Pierre

A stellar victory ushered by a crescendo of unblemished Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) victories, took the TKR Legends to a record fourth Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title.

Justifiably proud of their badge of honour which showcased the heroes of the 2020 CPL record, it was the mother of all victories representing the crowning glory of cricketing T20 achievements. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said he was happy and proud to be the host of the CPL cricket in T&T.

Amid the gloom and doom of a ravaging pandemic, it was an incredible, unprecedented, and defining moment in our country’s history.

The host in our rainbow country: Dr Rowley, dared to go where angels feared to tread. He demonstrated the foresight, and tenacity of purpose which anchored astute leadership. He worked steadfastly against the odds of globally complex and challenging negatives, closed borders, crucial limitations, and spineless pessimists to do so.

He forged forward like a flagbearer, out of the depths of darkness and negativity in bringing to light and fruition the fulcrum, and realities of his plan. We were on fire with golden hearts and inner glory amidst naked stands, sanitisers, and savannah grass.

TKR’s Captain Kieron Pollard manifested strong leadership and released his inner glory. He achieved the goal of victory by tapping into the talent of his team. A superb all-rounder, charismatic, and caring captain, he calculatedly lifted teammates to realms of realised potential and achievement. He ramped up their spirits and infused new life, fresh excitement, and significance in his impassioned team.

Akeal Hosein, a TKR teammate, who hailed from Laventille said: “Kieron Pollard is a father figure, a mentor, a trustworthy, go-getting guy….As family, everyone shared their experiences, and you learnt a lot from these guys.”

Together, they moved forward with boundless faith in their destiny. Lendl Simmons at the grand finale, was over the moon with his form, and confidently broke Chris Gayle’s record.

Pollard demonstrated his planning genius and thoroughly searched his heart based on the defeat sustained with the Tridents last year. We need to spend time to self-evaluate and change positively. We should choose to be ruled by wisdom, understanding and the divine spirit rather than just emotions. We have to be the change we need to be.

Pollard appeared confident, calm and collective, despite the unavailability of a key player, Sunil Narine in the final  game, and was able  to  capture four Zouks’ wickets, catapulting him to the ‘Hero’ of the T20 CPL Series.

He brought the charm of epic victory, to us all when Zouks was routed by eight wickets. Love and unity were displayed as Simmons and Darren Bravo joined with charismatic chemistry in a winning partnership of 138.

The TKR was an inspirational boost to unity. Their superstar performance reflected strokes beyond the boundary of their spirit.

The Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) was fittingly graced with the majesty of record breaking TKR achievements. This was the first match ever hosted at the BLCA, by the CPL without spectators. It was the first time CPL was held in one country. T&T was also the only country in the Caribbean to hold such an event during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BLCA opens tremendous prospects for future international cricket tournaments, limited overs, and test matches. It provides a golden opportunity for diversification of our economy and proof that T&T is an ideal destination for cricket even in the rainy season. Sports tourism can be used to catalyse further revenue generation. ‘Bread’, falling like manna from Heaven!

For the T&T fans, and millions of spectators around the globe in a pandemic environment, this phenomenal victory and impeccable record by the epic TKR Legends, represented an overflow of glorious performances unknown in the annals of CPL’s history.

The transcendent power and character of teams and gamesmanship, created a halo effect, and were  like a balm to our inner wounds, soothing the scars that pluck the spirit, providing the ointment, medicine  and healing for the soul, reviving the vivacity, love and spiritual splendour of our being.

Felix Pierre is a Santa Rosa, Arima parishioner and avid cricket enthusiast.