The game carries on in Vanuatu
Some overnight rain couldn’t prevent Vanuatu from producing a rarity in these coronavirus-restricted times – a live sporting event.
The tropical island in the South Pacific was probably the only venue in the world hosting a competitive sports final on Saturday, as most international sport remains shut around the globe.
Vanuatu Cricket Association chief executive Shane Deitz invited anyone missing live action to tune in to a live stream. More than 3000 did at various times during a men’s 10-over exhibition match and the women’s Twenty20 final won by the Mele Bulls.
‘‘We can showcase a bit of cricket for everyone who is in lockdown,’’ Deitz told the Associated Press.
The matches were played at the Vanuatu
Cricket Grounds in the capital Port Vila, on the island of Efate. Officials set up four cameras and commentary for the online stream on Vanuatu Cricket’s Facebook site.
The commentators had a bit of fun as well, with one suggesting a few fans were getting rowdy ‘‘now that the red wine has kicked in’’.
Play was delayed for minute or two when a few children ran on the field.
Vanuatu went into lockdown late last month as a precaution during the coranavirus pandemic, and was then hit by a destructive cyclone on April 6.
Spectators who went to the ground on Saturday were asked to bring food or clothing donations for those affected by the cyclone. The lockdown and closed borders meant there were no reported cases of Covid-19 in Vanuatu.