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Cricket, lovely cricket!

Published:Sunday | February 24, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Former England cricketer Devon Malcolm and Oliver Colvile might be going over the play of the day.
Digicel's Tahnida Nunes (centre) and Jacqueline Burrell-Clarke getting cricket pointers from Oliver Colvile. -Photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
It was girls' night out for (from left) Marcia Robinson, Pat Salter and Lorna Bell. - Photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Captain Nigel Adams (left) presents Digicel's CEO Andy Thorburn with an XXL autographed shirt that could hold the entire team. - Photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Nigel Adams (left) and Graham Jones doing the ska with Digicel's promotional girls. - Photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Digicel's CEO Andy Thorburn congratulating songstress Tessanne Chin on her wonderful performance at a cocktail reception the telecommunications company hosted on the East Lawn of Devon House last Saturday for members of the House of Lords and Commons cricket team who are in the island for one week. - Photo by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
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Nashauna Drummond, Acting Lifestyle Editor

It was a Saturday night all about cricket, lovely cricket. Well, there was also a 'tups' of politics involved. Fresh from their win over Jamaican parliamentarians, members of the British House of Lords and Commons cricket team commandeered the East Lawn of Devon House in St Andrew and had themselves a grand ol' time.

What was to be a courtesy cocktail hosted for them by telecommunications giant Digicel, turned out to be an all-out victory party. It seems the hosts of the shindig prophesied their guests' victory, as the lawn was indeed decorated for a winners' party, complete with the red-carpet treatment.

The bar was kept busy and whatever your cocktail of choice was, it was provided. As the spirits flowed, spirits soared, and the stage was set for some good time.

Athletic prowess

In the short bit of formality that was the only break in the flow of things, Digicel's CEO Andy Thorburn welcomed everyone to the Digicel 'night club'. While Minister of Tourism Dr Wykeham McNeill may not have envisioned that a day which started with his son posting evidence of his athletic prowess on Facebook would have ended the way it did, he was definitely not a sore loser. As Nigel Adams, captain of the visiting cricket team puts it, "the game was played in the best spirit".

He noted that Jamaica had a lot going for it in the area of sport tourism, and pledged "we will do what we can to support it while we are here and beyond".

Few things strengthen bilateral ties as much as a good party. And this was that kind of party. From the entertaining acrobatics and musical stylings of the Silver Birds steel orchestra to the velvety smooth vocals of Tessanne Chin, there was something for everyone. Chin pulled guests into her performance and had everyone rocking to some originals as well as old favourites, including some ska hits.

Though they were slated to leave Kingston early the next morning for their journey into St Elizabeth, the guests of honour seemed in no hurry to end the night. But alas, all good things must come to an end. Perhaps there'll be a rematch soon, and with it, another excuse for a party.