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Antigua Notebook

CANADA’S Uganda born quickie Henry Osinde earned himself a new nickname in Kenya earlier this month — Lionel, after Bermuda slugger Lionel Cann.

Osinde came in for some heavy punishment from Cann in the World Cricket League. And to add humour to the humiliating experience, the fast bowler’s team-mates now call him Lionel.

Taking it all in stride, Osinde points the finger to all-rounder Desmond Chumney who dropped Cann early in his innings in Nairobi.

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BERMUDA’S World Cup cricketers have been a big hit among kids at the Jolly Beach Resort where they’re staying. Whenever opportunity has presented itself, the Island’s cricketers have taken time out to sign autographs.

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FORMER West Indies quickie Kenny Benjamin and Canada vice-captain George Coddrington previously played together on the West Indies ‘A team. Coddrington also captained his native Barbados at the national youth level before relocating in Ontario.

Canada’s veteran seamer Andy Cummings is also a former West Indies player.

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AT age 99, local resident Sir Sidney Walling is the oldest surviving first class cricketer in the Caribbean. Walling, who has a stand named in his honour at the Antigua Recreation Ground, turns 100 in July.

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FORMER West Indies fast bowler and past visitor to Bermuda, Kenny Benjamin, is a busy man these days. Benjamin coaches, commentates and has also become one of the top groundsmen in the region.

In contrast, Benjamin’s former West Indies team-mate Curtly Ambrose prefers to immerse himself in music and enjoy the local party scene.

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FOR those in Bermuda who may think they have the ultimate car sound system, locals in Antigua have raised the bar.

Every now and then someone drives alongside with heavy tunes booming from gigantic speakers attached to the roof of the vehicle.

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THE Island of Antigua is also home to the mongoose which preys upon snakes.

So when a small colony of the creatures was spotted at the Bermuda national cricket team’s home base at the Jolly Beach Resort, one of the first questions asked among the local contingent was: “Are there any snakes here?”

Fortunately the mongoose have long rid the island of the reptiles and now feed primarily on road kill and small farm animals such as chickens.