As every Anguillian knows, our own Omari Banks is now a West Indies Test player.
Every debutant at the highest level will surely always remember his own first Test appearance. Omari, for sure, will remember this one forever.

It was a true baptism of fire both for him and for the other first-timer, 21 year old Tino Best of Barbados.
These youngsters were thrown into the arena and asked to fight against the lions of world cricket. It was tough, very tough and they received no help from a pitch which was probably the flattest and slowest we have seen in the West Indies - ever!
It was very interesting and significant to note that at the outset of this Test match there was very little enthusiasm shown by both radio and television commentators for the inclusion of Omari Banks in the Windies team. The inclusion of the worthy young Best from Barbados, however, was lauded with some fanfare and anxiously awaited. The difference in attitude, at this early stage of the proceedings, towards both these young players was strikingly palpable. This kind of parochial bias in the West Indies is, of course, nothing new to those of us who have followed the game here over the past few decades. It is to be expected, but it is unnecessary and it is surely sad. Both Banks and Best were thoroughly deserving of their inclusion in this team and it would have been heartwarming for us and for the two youngsters if their inclusion had been equally recognised and lauded by those entrusted with bringing this finest of sports to listeners and viewers alike throughout these cricket-crazy islands.
Both these youngsters bowled their hearts out against the unassailable and rampant Australian batsmen, who after winning match upon match, are just oozing with confidence and determined to attack at all costs and with great success. Best, poor fellow, was wicketless but will surel;y have further opportunities against lesser opposition. Omari, after a nervous start, stuck resolutely to his task, and gaining in confidence, bowled with some guile and turn. Yes, he went for over 200 runs off his forty overs against the finest batting line-up in cricket, but in doing so he captured three valuable wickets and if Sarwan had properly judged a relatively comfortable catch which was in the air forever and if Smith had not lost one in the sun, he might just have bagged a "five-fer" in his first Test outing.
After this plucky bowling performance in the most difficult of circumstances and conditions it became obvious that the radio and TV commentators had realised that the selectors hadn't been a bunch of fools after all and that just maybe this young lad from the tiny island of Anguilla had indeed something to offer to West Indies cricket.
The Windies then had to bat and although finishing over 300 behind the Aussies' massive 600 plus total, batted once again with some mettle. Omari, pleasingly being entrusted with the number 6 spot after his feverishly sick captain had not yet been able to come to the wicket, contributed a mature and attractive 24 and showed himself willing to take on the very best of world-class bowlers whenever the delivery demanded punishment.
By now it was becoming evident that the commentators were duly impressed and the "unknown" Banks was now coming in for no uncertain praise and now being seen as a very interesting prospect for the future. The Windies, of course, had to follow on and in their second knock our young cavalier, batting once more with pride and assurance in the coveted number 6 position, played a little gem of an innings of 34 and when he finally succumbed after a lengthy stint in the middle, he had finally caught the eye of the cricket experts, public and players alike. So much so, that in his after-the -match interview with Australian David Hookes, Ian Bishop chose Omari's performances in this match as one of thefew positive features for the West Indies in an otherwise difficult match for them as they again crashed to a resounding defeat and a 0-3 position in a 4-match series.

Bravo Banks! This was a n overall bowling and batting effort of commendable courage and assurance and it was good to see you keep your nerve in situations which would have overcome many more experienced cricketers. You did your island proud, and at the end of it all, many of the pundits seemed pretty proud of you, too.

Mr. David Kenworthy

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