'You played back to that one?' 'What should I have done?' 'Jumped at it, of course. Among these, an exchange with Constantine, the eminence grise of Shannon cricket, captures the friendly tone recollected by James pretty well.Ĭonstantine, a privileged person, especially with me, between overs would discuss my play freely. James reprises a number of in-match conversations. He recognized his choice had political significance, but ultimately decided on narrowly personal grounds - a number of his friends were with Maple, and so he joined them, too.ĭespite the quasi-political tension and the fierce competitiveness it produced, the atmosphere in club matches was collegial and even chatty. The decision was particularly pointed because, though Maple's captain sought him, James personally was dark. James' choice came down to the two middle-class black clubs - Shannon, whose status was tied to the professional achievement and aspiration of its members, and Maple, whose status was wrapped up in lighter skin-color and established position. Each club had its place and significance in the island's social divisions.
What follows is a sharp sketch of how colonial Trinidad's divisions of class and color mapped onto its cricket establishment.
After presenting his cricketing resume without false modesty or bravado, the opening paragraphs lay out a predicament: the young James had to decide which club he would play first-class cricket for.
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