ICT tour manager Gary has been hosting a large group of tourists in the Caribbean. Here is his latest letter home…
Antigua and Barbados didn’t disappoint, with great cricket and a lovely party of guests.
I left the warmth of people in Pakistan behind me for my flight to Gatwick, where I had a one night stopover before flying to Antigua. Naturally, a few ales and burger and chips were on the menu.
I was the last to arrive in Antigua, where colleagues Richard and Ed had been holding fort before my arrival; I only had one day to acclimatise to the tropical heat and news timezones, before the ODIs started at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium.
England fielded a new-look side with four debutants, and I was on the fence with the selection. How good they are only time will tell.
Q&A with Carlos Braithwaite at Siboney Beach
Carlos was great and gave us amazing insight into that T20 World Cup final of 2016, when he delivered 24 in the final over to beat England.
The next day, and another ODI. This time England performed much better, especially when Liam Livingstone arrived at the crease with England seemingly on course for a series defeat. Livingstone’s intervention helped his side get home with two overs to spare.
Sunday night on Antigua means only one thing: Shirley Heights. This is always a spectacle with steel bands, spectacular views and, of course, rum punch!
The following day we left for Barbados, where Ed and I hosted drinks for guests staying at the O2 Beach Club, with a special guest – the one and only Jofra Archer – in attendance.
Fish fry, Desmond Haynes and Jofra
Later there was a mad dash to Oistins, fish market by day fish fry at night and one of my favourite places to go when in Barbados.
With so much packed into the tour, the day after the final ODI – another Windies win – presented a chance to enjoy one of my Bajan highlights, a catamaran around the island. We had some rain, but that didn’t scupper the general vibe. Our fine day out finished with a trip to Dreadhop Brewery which everyone seemed to enjoy.
Our Barbados ICT event took place at Copacabana Beach Club, where I was tasked with interviewing Desmond Haynes.
Onto the next
My last two days on the island included back-to-back T20s , with England putting in two good performances to go 2-0 up heading to St Lucia.
So my time is up in the Caribbean.
It’s been a great trip, and I hope to see many of you on future tours. Those going to St Lucia, enjoy the rest of the trip; you are in good hands with Ed, Sasa and Sara.
JOIN US AT THE ASHES IN 2025/26
