Let the games begin

Finally! Normal service has just about resumed with the Caribbean sunshine blazing, and gentle warm winds helping to dry the soggy ground.

A 4pm start v Bangladesh looked promising, so Eddie and I set off withOUT the brolly - this time hard earned sweat in the searing heat was to blame for us both arriving at the stadium like wet rags. Blue skies, nothing but blue skies...

At the ticket office, we asked if we could swap Saturday's washout tickets for tickets today.

"Sorry no sir," the nice lady explained, "They will release a date to refund your ticket." She smiled, anticipating our next question -  "But you will probably be home by then."

Ah well, it was only a few quid, and the sun was shining so we didn't care too much.

We grabbed a cold beer and sat in the stand watching England warm up. Other England fans trickled in - mainly friends and family of the players. Dani Wyatt's dad managed to sell me the last of his 'England Women's Cricket Crew' t-shirts, and we sat amongst the families - all incredibly proud and supportive of their daughters, grand daughters or sisters.

Glancing across the gathering groups of fans, I spotted Wendy Watson, a player from the squad that won the world cup in 1993. This was in the day of playing in short white skirts, no professional contracts etc etc. I would love to chat with her at some point - she must have seen so much change in the game over the years, and I wonder what she makes of it all now. One thing is clear, after a few beers she's still got the moves, and performed with the dancers to rapturous applause (here she is in the blue t-shirt below) What a great character.

And so to the game. Bangladesh batted first and slumped to 76-9 off their 20 overs. A dream debut for Kirstie Gordon with 3-16. How proud must her family have been!

In reply, England looked shaky and I felt for the Wyatt family as Dani was given LBW on the first ball of the innings. A lesson to all aspiring U15 county girls - It happens at the highest level too. The secret is how you cope, and how you bounce back...

The atmosphere was electric, the music was loud and the cricket was decent. It was FANTASTIC to be there - to see, hear and feel it. Oh - and taste it too - yet another beautiful Caribbean feast from our lovely stall lady who made spicy fish fingers, just for us!

The England girls emerged victorious thanks to Duckworth Lewis, and at last they'd had a chance to stretch their legs and blow away the cobwebs.

The England girls came out to see their families at the end, and I grabbed a quick selfie with Nat Sciver, who's lovely family I shared the game with.

Plenty laughs for the folks back home who also spotted us on telly.

A day of rest now - maybe we'll jump on a bus and explore Castries the capital, maybe we won't. Who cares. The sun is shining and all is well.