What's in a dance?

Windies party to victory like in the days of old

There was a time, in now what seems like the distance past, where the name West Indies (the cricket team and most powerful example of what Caribbean unity can achieve) was synonymous with partying and winning.

Over the course of the ICC T20 World Cup, the calypso swagger of the West Indies was in full show.

No more poignant an example has there been than the way Chris Gayle, and eventually the rest of the team, danced in celebration of every achievement.

Rhythm of the Caribbean

The rhythm of the Caribbean, much like the rhythm of the Brazilians when they are at the top of their beloved football, was obvious.

The dance in question, called 'The Gangnam Style', is originally from South Korea, but seems to encapsulate the movements and rhythms of the Caribbean in no uncertain terms.

Gayle, now a world traveller, seems to have understood this and embraced it. The rest of the West Indies has followed the giant's footsteps with results they are only now just understanding.

The impact to the psyche of West Indian players has been tremendous. The confidence exuded by Gayle has filtered throughout the team and allowed players, more used to crumbling at critical moments, the opportunity to approach those moments with class, poise and more importantly, confidence.

Even outside of Gayle's performances, which were important to getting the West Indies into the final, the team was sure of itself.

In an interview with the media before the final, Gayle offered condolences to Sri Lanka even before a ball had been bowled.

Danced their way to a trophy

Led by The Gangnam Style and the joy it represents, the West Indies would go on to dance their way to a trophy, the likes of which they had not seriously challenged for, in about three decades.

For many years, many commentators have said the West Indies players just don't take their cricket seriously enough.

And, for many years, those commentators were forced to watch as a serious-looking West Indies were battered by all comers.

Yesterday, those commentators saw something different - a team enjoying the game. The result, as well, obviously different.

Calypso cricket is coming back into the game the men from the Caribbean used to rule three decades ago. And maybe, just maybe, there is more to a dance than the eyes perceive.