‘For Bready to get the West Indies is huge’

It is a village of just a few hundred people, yet it is going to host to one of the major cricket teams in the world.

Magheramason, in County Tyrone, is the home of Bready Cricket Club where the West Indies are seeking revenge against Ireland for a sore that has lasted more than half a century.

The last time the two sides faced off in the north west was back in 1969 at Sion Mills, when Ireland recorded a historic victory over the “Windies” by bowling them out for just 25 runs.

Now, weather-permitting, thousands will attend three T20 matches between the teams on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with many more around the world watching on TV.

Chairman of Bready Cricket Club Norman Allen said the bigger games tend to go to Dublin and Belfast, so for them to get the West Indies was “huge”.

“We are determined to show Cricket Ireland that we can put on cricket as good as anybody,” he told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme.

Ossie Colhoun, 87, from Sion Mills, was Ireland’s wicketkeeper in the clash against the West Indies 56 years ago.

“The ground was completely packed, there was maybe 3,000 people because this was a really big deal to have the West Indies here,” he said.

As the local boy, he was tasked with taking the West Indies team to their hotel in Lifford, County Donegal.

This led to speculation that Ossie had taken the team for a drink and that that was why they were off their game the next day.

“When we went over the bar was closed, they got no drink at all,” he insisted.

Ossie will be at the match on Saturday to ring the bell.

The final preparations to get the cricket ground ready have been taking place all week.

Kathryn Rough, the interim general manager for the North West Cricket Union, said it was all hands to the pump.

“We’ve got people who normally work in finance and people who go out coaching dressing curtains, running around with mops and brushes, everybody is prepared to help,” she said.

In addition to the matches, there are corporate events, a kids zone and a food village showcasing local produce.

The half-time entertainment will be Irish and Scottish dancers and bagpipes.

“It is stressful but it is really exciting, we are all really invested,” added Kathryn.

However, the biggest pressure is probably being felt by Trevor Hamilton, who is in charge of making sure the ground is in peak condition.

“I would say my sleep at night isn’t the same as usual, so it comes with a lot of nerves,” he said.

“But I’ve been a lifelong member of Bready Cricket Club and so it’s an immense honour to be hosting Ireland and the West Indies.”

Ironically, Bready’s cricket colours are similar to the West Indies kit.

That is because the people who set up the club loved the West Indies and were inspired by their culture of cricket.

“For this club to actually be able to host the West Indies is really special for all the cricketers here, but also for the local people to have international sport on their doorstep,” added Kathryn Rough.