Global Cricket Series - Day 8 Tobago 2026
Caribbean Tour Diary – Day 8… Champions at Last! 
Well… somehow we’ve reached the final full day of cricket already!
It felt like the alarm had only just gone off before we were heading down for an early breakfast, specially opened for our group so we could catch the bus on time. The wonderful hotel staff have looked after us all week, and today was no exception.
Our destination was Mount Grace for finals day…
The first stop? A T10 against Power Gen.
The Trailblazers bowled first and, surprise surprise, Miles was at it again! Three more wickets helped restrict the opposition to just 57-9.
What followed can only be described as the Ben Shepherd Show.
Ben and Jaiveer strode out to open, and Ben immediately decided subtlety wasn’t required.
Boundary.
Boundary.
Then he danced down the wicket and launched a huge six into the distance.
A few balls later…
Another six!
At one stage he was 36 from just 10 balls, and the poor fielders were probably wondering if breakfast had been a better option than bowling to him!
The chase was almost over before anyone had settled into their seats. There was one tiny moment of drama when Ben skied one high…
The fielder settled underneath it…
Everyone held their breath…
Dropped!
The boys scrambled back for two, and moments later Ben rocked onto the back foot and crashed the winning runs through the covers to finish 47 not out from just 19 balls.
What. A. Knock.
One final to go…
Well… almost!
The schedule changed slightly after another result, so instead of the planned T10 there was a bit of waiting around before the Earl Arthur Plate Final.
I wandered around the ground for a while before finding what was probably the most peaceful seat imaginable—a bench beneath a huge mango tree, watching a mother hen fussing around her tiny chicks completely oblivious to the cricket unfolding nearby.
Not quite the entertainment I’d expected… but surprisingly relaxing!
A quick visit to the nearby corner shop followed.
My shopping list?
Toilet roll.
Not a pack…
Just one single roll.
Needs must! 
Then came the big one…
The Earl Arthur Plate Final against Calypso.
Batting first, Ben simply carried on where he’d left off, smashing another superb half-century, while Noah played a brilliant supporting innings with 46. Together they powered the Trailblazers to an imposing 163-3.
Job done?
Not quite…
Calypso came flying out of the blocks.
Anything that wasn’t a wide seemed to disappear to the boundary, and they were scoring at around 15 an over during the powerplay. It looked like the trophy was slipping away.
But these lads have shown all week that they don’t know when they’re beaten.
They regrouped.
Kept believing.
Kept taking wickets.
And suddenly…
It was game on again.
The final over arrived with Calypso needing just 6 runs.
Who stepped forward?
Miles.
Of course he did.
Already sitting on 2 wickets, he produced an absolutely sensational over, conceding just two runs and took 3 wickets completing a magnificent five-wicket haul to seal one of the most dramatic victories of the tour.
The boys had somehow turned it around.
Trailblazers… Earl Arthur Plate Champions! 
What a way to finish the cricket.
Back at the hotel there was just enough time for a shower, a quick snooze and to recharge before the evening celebrations. On the drive back our driver proudly pointed out a local wedding procession complete with a beautifully decorated car—a lovely little glimpse of Tobago life before our own festivities began.
At 8.30pm we headed to Merci Buccoo for the awards evening.
As we walked in, the sound of steel pans filled the room and the place was absolutely buzzing. The atmosphere was incredible.
There were speeches from Matt, Sam, Chris and our Tobagonian hosts. I genuinely wish I’d recorded Chris’s speech—it was one of those heartfelt moments that perfectly summed up what this tour has been all about.
Then came the presentations, thank yous, more thank yous, a toast to everyone involved…
…and finally…
The moment the boys had earned.
The Ludimus Trailblazers were crowned Earl Arthur Plate Winners!
A week of cricket.
A week of friendships.
A week of sunshine (eventually!).
A few rain showers.
One fractured finger.
One ambulance ride.
Goat racing.
Steel pans.
Beach cricket.
Glass-bottom boats.
Amazing food.
And now…
A trophy to bring home.
A few of us decided to sneak away on an earlier bus back to the hotel—tomorrow’s alarm is another early one as it’s time to begin the journey home.
As I pack my suitcase tonight, I can’t help but smile.
Tours like this aren’t really about the wins and losses.
They’re about the people, the laughter, the adventures you never planned, and the memories that somehow become even better every time you tell the stories.
Until the next adventure… 
