The Vice Chancellor’s (VC) cricket week came to an impressive close with a two-day match between the touring South African team and the Vice Chancellor’s XI team. The two-day fixture commenced with an opening ceremony in tribute to Sir Frank Worrell, which included the ribbon being cut by the Vice Chancellor of The University of the West Indies himself, Prof. E Nigel Harris, after this, the greeting of both teams took place and the game was ready to begin.

Winning the toss, the South Africans took the crease first and it definitely was to their benefit. Opening batsmen A.B. De Villiers and Boeta Dippenaar got off to a great start but 51 runs later their partnership was shattered by the young left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed taking the first wicket of the match. The joy of this wicket, however, quickly vanished as Dippenaar now joined by his colleague Ashwell Prince hammered the VC’s XI, hitting four after four. The determination of the VC’s XI team never faltered however, and reward soon came as Marlon Samuel took the catch off Tino Best’s pace bowling to send Prince back to the pavilion. Nevertheless it was during this partnership that Dippenaar was able to get his half-century.

Excitement combined with anxiety etched on the faces of both the spectators and fieldsmen as their confidence was tested by the most remarkable and unbreakable partnership of the match, Boeta Dippenaar and Herschelle Gibbs. This union led to the first century on the Sir Frank Worrell ground by Dippenaar. He went on to make a brilliant 167 before the end of the day’s play. The day ended on a positive note for the VC’s XI though, the young Mohammed’s bowling attack sent Gibbs off and the South Africans ended the day with 349 for 3.

On Sunday 17th, the players took their positions once more on the field; the runs seemed to ceaseless, but again to the rescue came Mohammed, he made his mark on this game, claiming 5 wickets for a mere 115 runs ending the stunning play of Boeta Dippenaar, Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis. It was now time for the 3,000 plus crowd to marvel at the batting performance of the VC’s XI team, as the South Africans declared at 395/6.

To precede their performance was a ceremony held on the Sir Frank Worrell ground to honour the VC’s XI captain Ridley Jacobs and West Indian wicketkeeper. None other than our very own Campus Principal Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie and the VC Prof. E Nigel Harris presented him with plaques of honour in addition to which Prof. Hilary Beckles, Principal of the Cave Hill Campus UWI, read a citation.

Then the game began. UWI’s Tishane Maraj (0) opened the batting with Guyanese batsman Ryan Ramdass (29), Maraj was unfortunately out before he had the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the team. To replace Maraj came the handsome Indian all-rounder Shikhah Dhawan, his disposition made it clear he was not going to be that easy. His good judgment of shots was enhanced by his stylish drives to the boundary, he had the crowd in a frenzy, adding a valuable 66 runs off 96 balls with 14 four’s but he was soon bowled by Langerveldt. The young Marlon Samuels contributed a well-appreciated 36 and looked at ease throughout his batting performance, facing South Africa’s main strike bowler Makhaya Ntini he effortlessly placed the ball over the boundary line. Shirley Clarke trapped (4) LBW, placing the VC’s XI on 155/5, the devastation of the team by the South Africans was curbed as the Bangladeshi captain Habibul Bashar took the crease lashing an incredible 77 not out, he was supported at the other end by team captain Ridley Jacobs, who made an outstanding 28 not out. This brought the match to a close, as it was called off at 4:30, the result a draw.

At the closing ceremony Prof. E Nigel Harris took the honour in presenting the man of the match trophy to Boeta Dippenaar for his superb 184, he then presented both captains, Nicky Boje and Ridley Jacobs with the winning trophy. It is the first time in the history of the VC games that a VC side was able to withstand the onslaught of the visiting team and complete the match.

This game at St. Augustine attracted the largest participation in any Vice Chancellor’s match from the community. Fans left the game with a wonderful feeling.