Cricket As a Catalyst for West Indian Independence: 1950-1962

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Cricket As a Catalyst for West Indian Independence: 1950-1962 Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 8-21-2013 12:00 AM 'Massa Day Done:' Cricket as a Catalyst for West Indian Independence: 1950-1962 Jonathan A. Newman The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Dr. Don Morrow The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Kinesiology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Master of Arts © Jonathan A. Newman 2013 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Sports Studies Commons Recommended Citation Newman, Jonathan A., "'Massa Day Done:' Cricket as a Catalyst for West Indian Independence: 1950-1962" (2013). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 1532. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/1532 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ‘Massa Day Done:’ Cricket as a Catalyst for West Indian Independence, 1950-1962. Thesis format: Monograph by Jonathan Newman Graduate Program in Kinesiology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada © Jonathan Newman 2013 Abstract This thesis examined the manner in which West Indies cricket became a catalyzing force for West Indians in moving towards political independence from Britain during the period 1950- 1962. West Indians took a game that was used as a means of social control during the colonial era, and refashioned that game into a political weapon to exact sporting and especially political revenge on their colonial masters. Analyses (CDA, narrative analysis, examination of calypsos and cartoons) of the historic cricket tour to England in 1950, the decolonization movement, and the appointment of Frank Worrell as the first black captain of the team, among other significant indicators and events, revealed recurring narratives that linked the success of West Indies cricket to a readiness for political independence from Britain. These narratives reflected a feeling that “the time was now” for West Indians to forge a political identity for themselves separate from the subservient pupil of the British master. Politicians utilized rhetorical strategies that appealed to feelings of racial unity to fuel their push for political independence. Taken together, the overriding narrative revealed by this analysis applied to selected newspaper articles and political speeches, could be encapsulated in the epithet, “massa day done”. The discourse emanating from the success of West Indies cricket set West Indians on a course toward political autonomy from Britain. Key Words: Cricket, West Indies cricket, Decolonization, Frank Worrell, C.L.R.James, West Indian Federation, West Indian Independence, Calypso, Critical Discourse Analysis, Colonialism ii Acknowledgments I owe many thanks to a select group of people, whose help was crucial to the completion of this thesis. Don, your patience and expert guidance was indispensable throughout this entire process. Thank you for your generosity; I will be forever grateful. Drs. Allahar and Heine, many thanks for keeping me on the right paths as I plotted my way forward with this study. The seeds of this thesis can be traced to my academic awakening at Ithaca College. The tutelage of Dr. Stephen Mosher cultivated in me a critical perspective on sport and the world that informed this thesis, and is one that I am thankful to have going forward. To my partner Jim, I cannot thank you enough for your support and unfailing belief in my abilities to make it through this journey. Your advice and selflessness were always reassuring; I am lucky to have you by my side. My academic achievements are due in large part to the love and support of my parents, Chris and Jackie, whose dedication to my education is a gift for which I could never fully express my gratitude. Your unwavering encouragement, especially in the most difficult times, made this all possible. Finally, special thanks to all my friends and family, whose moral support was a vital source of inspiration while writing. iii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... iv Glossary ............................................................................................................................. vi List of Appendices ........................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Introduction, Review of the Literature, Methodology, and Methods ................ 1 Research Questions .................................................................................................... 2 Organization of Thesis ....................................................................................... 2 Literature Review .............................................................................................. 5 The Development of West Indies Cricket ................................................ 6 The Social and Political Importance of Cricket ....................................... 7 Calypso .................................................................................................... 8 Race and Nationalism .............................................................................. 9 Methodology .................................................................................................... 11 The Idealization of Englishness/Whiteness ........................................... 11 Discourse Analysis................................................................................. 12 Method ............................................................................................................. 16 Chapter 2: Cultural Imbroglio: Englishness and the Development of West Indies Cricket, from Settlement to Test Status .................................................................................... ..23 Part One: The First Years of Cricket in the West Indies.....……………………..24 Cricket During Slavery .......................................................................... 24 Emancipation Leads to Better Acessibility to Cricket ........................... 25 Cricket as Resistance ............................................................................. 28 The West Indies Cricket Team, 1865-1928 ........................................... 30 Part Two: The Ideal of Englishness: Anything Black Nuh Good ..................... 32 Fanon and Rhone: The Idealization of Englishness Explained Through Caribbean Literature .............................................................................. 34 Overcoming Englishness ....................................................................... 38 Chapter 3: Fields of Change: West Indies Cricket: 1928-1950 ......................................... 46 West Indies Cricket Team: The Formative Years (1928-1950) ....................... 47 Transportation ........................................................................................ 48 Selection of the West Indies Cricket Team ........................................... 48 First Test Tour to England ..................................................................... 50 Pioneers Of West Indies Cricket ....................................................................... 53 Learie Constantine ................................................................................ 54 iv George Headley ..................................................................................... 56 The Three W's: Walcott, Weekes and Worrell ...................................... 59 Political Climate in the West Indies……………………………………….. 60 Chapter 4: Massa Day Done: The Role of Cricket in Achieving Independence ............... 71 Methodology ..................................................................................................... 72 Discourse and Critical Discourse Analysis............................................ 72 Textual Analysis .................................................................................... 74 Discursive Practices ............................................................................... 75 Social Practices ...................................................................................... 76 Method .............................................................................................................. 77 Newspapers ............................................................................................ 78 Calypsos ................................................................................................. 79 Political Speeches .................................................................................. 81 Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) .................................................................. 82 1950 West Indies Tour to England ........................................................ 82 West Indian Federation and the Campaign for Worrell's Captaincy....91 Chapter
Recommended publications
  • Cricket Quiz – Jersey Tour 2010 How Many Overs Can a Player Bowl in 20
    Cricket Quiz – Jersey Tour 2010 How many overs can a player bowl in 20/20? 4 England batsman Kevin Pietersen was born in which country? South Africa Which country started cricket? England A full toss above the batsman’s waist is also considered a what? No Ball Who has scored the most Test hundreds ever? Sachin Tendulkar LBW stands for what? Leg Before Wicket Name the method used to calculate the revised run target in a weather-affected match? Duckworth-Lewis Which country’s team is known as the Kiwis? New Zealand Who has scored the most runs in a single First-class innings? Brian Lara Who is the leading wicket taker in the history of Test cricket? Shane Warne Which player has scored the most runs in a single Test innings? Brian Lara What is the weight in ounces (oz) of a cricket ball used in Junior (U13) Cricket? 4¾oz is the usual wt marked however the acceptable range id from 4 &11/16 to 5 & 1/16oz How many ways can a batsman be given out? 10 List them Bowled, Timed Out; Caught, Handled the Ball, Hit Ball Twice, Hit Wicket, LBW, Obstructing the Field, Run Out, Stumped. What do the initials MCC stand for? Marylebone Cricket Club What are the pitch distances (in yards) between the wickets for: (a) senior cricket 22 yards (b) U13 cricket 21 yards (c) U11 cricket 20 yards (d) U9 cricket 18 yards Who took the most wickets in a Test Match? The most wickets taken in one match was done by Jim Laker from England, he took 10- 53 in one innings and 9-37 in the other.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Green Bench' to T&T Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Australia donates ‘Green Bench’ to T&T Port-of-Spain, Trinidad – 23 May 2019 – The Australian High Commission in Port of Spain has donated a ‘Green Bench’ made from 10,000 plastic bottles to Trinidad and Tobago. In recent months, Australian High Commission staff members have collected thousands of plastic bottles and the bench, made by Flying Tree Environmental Management, was installed at the Moka Triangle in Port of Spain on 22 May, near the Australian High Commissioner’s residence. At the bench’s unveiling, Australian High Commissioner John Pilbeam said installing it was a way of commemorating Australia’s friendship with Trinidad and Tobago. “This year, we’re celebrating forty-five years of diplomatic relations, but our friendship is much older and deeper than that,” he remarked. He mentioned the establishment of Australia’s first office on South Quay, Port of Spain in 1951, and the first test match between Australia and the West Indies at Queens Park – a draw though Everton Weekes, Clyde Walcott and Neil Harvey all made centuries. But a real highlight for him was Brian Lara’s investiture into the Order of Australia in Port of Spain ten years ago by the then- Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. The eight-foot bench fits three people comfortably, weighs almost one tonne and has been painted light green to match its leafy surroundings. A colourful sign includes pictures of birds and flowers from Australia and Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking at the event, Diego Martin Councillor Andy Felicien welcomed the new bench which will provide a place to rest as well as keeping many plastic bottles out of drains, beaches and landfills.
    [Show full text]
  • Sample Download
    ASHLEY GRAY THE UN FORGIVEN THE MercenariesUNFORGIVEN or Missionaries? The untold stories of the rebel West Indian cricketers who toured apartheid South Africa Contents Introduction. 9. Lawrence Rowe . 26. Herbert Chang . 56. Alvin Kallicharran . 71 Faoud Bacchus . 88 Richard Austin . .102 . Alvin Greenidge . 125 Emmerson Trotman . 132 David Murray . .137 . Collis King . 157. Sylvester Clarke . .172 . Derick Parry . 189 Hartley Alleyne . .205 . Bernard Julien . .220 . Albert Padmore . .238 . Monte Lynch . 253. Ray Wynter . 268. Everton Mattis . .285 . Colin Croft . 301. Ezra Moseley . 309. Franklyn Stephenson . 318. Acknowledgements . 336 Scorecards. .337 . Map: Rebel Origins. 349. Selected Bibliography . 350. Lawrence Rowe ‘He was a hero here’ IT’S EASY to feel anonymous in the Fort Lauderdale sprawl. Shopping malls, car yards and hotels dominate the eyeline for miles. The vast concrete expanses have the effect of dissipating the city’s intensity, of stripping out emotion. The Gallery One Hilton Fort Lauderdale is a four-star monolith minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. Lawrence Rowe, a five-star batsman in his prime, is seated in the hotel lounge area. He has been trading off the anonymity of southern Florida for the past 35 years, an exile from Kingston, Jamaica, the highly charged city that could no longer tolerate its stylish, contrary hero. Florida is a haven for Jamaican expats; it’s a short 105-minute flight across the Caribbean Sea. Some of them work at the hotel. Bartender Alyssa, a 20-something from downtown Kingston, is too young to know that the neatly groomed septuagenarian she’s serving a glass of Coke was once her country’s most storied sportsman.
    [Show full text]
  • Cricket! West Indies V England 2014
    Cricket! West Indies v England 2014 From 28 February to 13 March 2014, enjoy cricket in Antigua and Barbados with West Indies v England 2014. Three one-day internationals and 3 Twenty20 match series to be played in Antigua and Barbados. England has not visited the Caribbean to play the West Indies since 2009, as such there is a real sense of excitement and anticipation for this upcoming ODI and T20 series. England’s 2014 Tour of the West Indies looks like it will be a classic match between two of the greatest cricketing teams. Fresh from its World Cup T20 success, Top-ranked England will face the West Indian. It’s sure to great entertainment in the islands. Also a wonderful time to escape the cold/rainy weather to enjoy sun-kissed Caribbean beaches and a festival of calypso cricket. England’s Windies tour of 2014 will take in two exciting cricket venues in the Caribbean. Each boasts a colorful cricketing history and has played host to many of the world’s greatest players. Experience the stately Kensington Oval in Barbados and the brand-new Sir Vivian Richards stadium in Antigua. These West Indian cricket grounds will “bowl” you over. Cricket! West Indies v England 2014 Schedule Friday February 28 | 09:30 local | 13:30 GMT 1st ODI – West Indies vs England at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua Sunday March 2 | 09:30 local | 13:30 GMT 2nd ODI – West Indies vs England at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua Wednesday March 5 | 09:30 local | 13:30 GMT 3rd ODI – West Indies vs England at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua Sunday March 9 | 14:30 local | 18:30 GMT 1st T20 – West Indies vs England at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown Tuesday March 11 | 14:30 local | 18:30 GMT 2nd T20 – West Indies vs England at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown Thursday March 13 | 14:30 local | 18:30 GMT 3rd T20 – West Indies vs England at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown.
    [Show full text]
  • Cricket Memorabilia Society Postal Auction Closing at Noon 10
    CRICKET MEMORABILIA SOCIETY POSTAL AUCTION CLOSING AT NOON 10th JULY 2020 Conditions of Postal Sale The CMS reserves the right to refuse items which are damaged or unsuitable, or we have doubts about authenticity. Reserves can be placed on lots but must be agreed with the CMS. They should reflect realistic values/expectations and not be the “highest price” expected. The CMS will take 7% of the price realised, the vendor 93% which will normally be paid no later than 6 weeks after the auction. The CMS will undertake to advertise the memorabilia for auction on its website no later than 3 weeks prior to the closing date of the auction. Bids will only be accepted from CMS members. Postal bids must be in writing or e-mail by the closing date and time shown above. Generally, no item will be sold below 10% of the lower estimate without reference to the vendor.. Thus, an item with a £10-15 estimate can be sold for £9, but not £8, without approval. The incremental scale for the acceptance of bids is as follows: £2 increments up to £20, then £20/22/25/28/30 up to £50, then £5 increments to £100 and £10 increments above that. So, if there are two postal bids at £25 and £30, the item will go to the higher bidder at £28. Should there be two identical bids, the first received will win. Bids submitted between increments will be accepted, thus a £52 bid will not be rounded either up or down. Items will be sent to successful postal bidders the week after the auction and will be sent by the cheapest rate commensurate with the value and size of the item.
    [Show full text]
  • Black Internationalism and African and Caribbean
    BLACK INTERNATIONALISM AND AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN INTELLECTUALS IN LONDON, 1919-1950 By MARC MATERA A Dissertation submitted to the Graduate School-New Brunswick Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Program in History Written under the direction of Professor Bonnie G. Smith And approved by _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ New Brunswick, New Jersey May 2008 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Black Internationalism and African and Caribbean Intellectuals in London, 1919-1950 By MARC MATERA Dissertation Director: Bonnie G. Smith During the three decades between the end of World War I and 1950, African and West Indian scholars, professionals, university students, artists, and political activists in London forged new conceptions of community, reshaped public debates about the nature and goals of British colonialism, and prepared the way for a revolutionary and self-consciously modern African culture. Black intellectuals formed organizations that became homes away from home and centers of cultural mixture and intellectual debate, and launched publications that served as new means of voicing social commentary and political dissent. These black associations developed within an atmosphere characterized by a variety of internationalisms, including pan-ethnic movements, feminism, communism, and the socialist internationalism ascendant within the British Left after World War I. The intellectual and political context of London and the types of sociability that these groups fostered gave rise to a range of black internationalist activity and new regional imaginaries in the form of a West Indian Federation and a United West Africa that shaped the goals of anticolonialism before 1950.
    [Show full text]
  • January-July
    PCB Highlights 1 January – 31 July Stepping up to the fore in the ICC • PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani was reappointed in the prestigious role of Chairperson of the ICC’s Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) after 17 years. He is the only Pakistani to chair one of the ICC’s most important and influential committees. No other Pakistani has ever served on this commitee • Ehsan Mani, during his previous term as ICC F&CA Chairman, was instrumental in commercialising international cricket in 2000 by leading ICC to sign its first-ever commercial deal worth $550m; this was followed by a second deal in 2006 worth over $1.1bn, in which he played the lead role • Pakistan Cricket Board Managing Director Wasim Khan was appointed as a full-member CEO of the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee. • Sana Mir was included into ICC Women’s Committee as one of the three current player representatives. • PCB General Counsel, Barrister Salman Naseer, has been included in the ICC’s Safeguarding Panel • The PCB’s revamped Media, Communications and Digital department joined the ICC in the celebration of the launch of the World Test Championship and organised a fan poll to select the greatest Test match in the country’s history to date and also paid a tribute to all 236 Test cricketers. Introducing the Managing Director The Pakistan Cricket Board has a vision to become the highest performing and most credible cricket board in the world. For the achievement of this key objective Wasim Khan, a renowned cricket administrator, was appointed as the Managing Director.
    [Show full text]
  • The Empire Strikes Back
    nother Test match series it spelt out an enlightened prophecy of between England and the what was to come. West Indians gets under way - and again, no doubt, But patronising paternalism had a long Amore than a few Englishmen will be course to run yet. Oh dear me, it did. complaining before the summer is out Three years after that first tour by that the West Indians do not have a Hawke's men, Pelham Warner's older proper appreciation of the grand old brother, RSA Aucher Warner, brought game. In as much as they hit too hard the first 'unofficial' (as Lord's called it) with the bat, and bowl too fast with the collective and multiracial team across ball. to England. It was made up of players Although the regular challenge between from Trinidad, Barbados, and British the two sides has only been deemed Guiana. On the day they disembarked at 'official' by the mandarins of the Eng¬ Southampton from the banana boat, the lish game at Lord's for just over 60 London Evening Star carried a large years, we are in fact fast approaching a cartoon featuring Dr WG Grace, the The centenary of cricket contests between English cricket champion, in a tower¬ the Caribbean teams and the 'Mother ing, regal pose, bat in hand instead of Country' of the old British Empire. scimitar, while around him cowered The first English touring side was led and simpered seven or eight black men, Empire by the redoubtable autocrat, Lord 'I all shedding tears and imploring the shave twice a day, my professionals doctor, 'sorry, sah, we have only come only once: a sign we each know our to learn, sah'.
    [Show full text]
  • House of Lords Official Report
    Vol. 807 Tuesday No. 138 3 November 2020 PARLIAMENTARYDEBATES (HANSARD) HOUSE OF LORDS OFFICIAL REPORT ORDEROFBUSINESS Questions Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy....................619 Qualifications .................................................................................................................622 Life in the UK Test ........................................................................................................626 Covid-19: Christmas Breaches of Restrictions ...............................................................629 Covid-19: Places of Worship Private Notice Question ..................................................................................................632 Business of the House Motion on Standing Orders .............................................................................................636 Conduct Committee Motion to Agree..............................................................................................................637 Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Bill Commons Reason............................................................................................................644 Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention, Levy and Safety Net and Levy Account: Basis of Distribution) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 Motion to Approve ..........................................................................................................649 Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 Motion
    [Show full text]
  • International Cricket Council
    TMUN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL FEBRUARY 2019 COMITTEEE DIRECTOR VICE DIRECTORS MODERATOR MRUDUL TUMMALA AADAM DADHIWALA INAARA LATIFF IAN MCAULIFFE TMUN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL A Letter from Your Director 2 Background 3 Topic A: Cricket World Cup 2027 4 Qualification 5 Hosting 5 In This Committee 6 United Arab Emirates 7 Singapore and Malaysia 9 Canada, USA, and West Indies 10 Questions to Consider 13 Topic B: Growth of the Game 14 Introduction 14 Management of T20 Tournaments Globally 15 International Tournaments 17 Growing The Role of Associate Members 18 Aid to Troubled Boards 21 Questions to Consider 24 Topic C: Growing Women’s Cricket 25 Introduction 25 Expanding Women’s T20 Globally 27 Grassroots Development Commitment 29 Investing in More Female Umpires and Match Officials 32 Tying it All Together 34 Questions to Consider 35 Advice for Research and Preparation 36 Topic A Key Resources 37 Topic B Key Resources 37 Topic C Key Resources 37 Bibliography 38 Topic A 38 Topic B 40 Topic C 41 1 TMUN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL A LETTER FROM YOUR DIRECTOR Dear Delegates, The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the governing body of cricket, the second most popular sport worldwide. Much like the UN, the ICC brings representatives from all cricket-playing countries together to make administrative decisions about the future of cricket. Unlike the UN, however, not all countries have an equal input; the ICC decides which members are worthy of “Test” status (Full Members), and which are not (Associate Members). While the Council has experienced many successes, including hosting the prestigious World Cup and promoting cricket at a grassroots level, it also continues to receive its fair share of criticism, predominantly regarding the ICC’s perceived obstruction of the growth of the game within non- traditionally cricketing nations and prioritizing the commercialization of the sport over globalizing it.
    [Show full text]
  • Leg Before Wicket Douglas Miller Starts to Look at the Most Controversial Form of Dismissal
    Leg Before Wicket Douglas Miller starts to look at the most controversial form of dismissal Of the 40 wickets that fell in the match between Gloucestershire and Glamorgan at Cheltenham that ended on 1st August 2010 as many as 18 of the victims were dismissed lbw. Was this, I wondered, a possible world record? Asking Philip Bailey to interrogate the files of Cricket Archive, I discovered that it was not: back in 1953/54 a match between Patiala and Delhi had seen 19 batsmen lose their wickets in this way. However, until the start of the 2010 season the record in English first-class cricket had stood at 17, but, barely credibly, Cheltenham had provided the third instance of a match with 18 lbws in the course of the summer. Gloucestershire had already been involved in one of these, against Sussex at Bristol, while the third occasion was the Sussex-Middlesex match at Hove. Was this startling statistic for 2010 an indication that leg before decisions are more freely given nowadays? It seemed to correlate with an impression that modern technology has given umpires a better feel for when a ball is likely to hit the wicket and that the days when batsmen could push forward and feel safe were now over. I determined to dig deeper and examine trends over time. This article confines itself to matches played in the County Championship since World War I. I propose looking at Tests in a future issue. The table below shows how the incidence of lbw dismissals has fluctuated over time.
    [Show full text]
  • HIST233: the ATLANTIC WORLD, 1600‑1850 CRN 9521 Contents
    1 School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations History 2007 Trimester 2 HIST233: THE ATLANTIC WORLD, 1600‑1850 CRN 9521 Contents page Course guide ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Trimester outline ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13 Lecture guide ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16 Tutorial guide ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17 Essay writing: general instructions ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26 Assessment 1: Map quiz ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 38 Assessment 2: Article review ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 39 Assessment 3: Research essay ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 53 Model 200­level essay ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 55 Assessment 4: Terms test ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 64 Lecture readings ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 66 Essay writing reading ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 169 Tutorial readings ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 173 Maps and supplementary materials ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 259 Victoria University of Wellington, History Programme, HIST233:
    [Show full text]