Hungry for a taste of sweet cricket from the West Indies team, served previously in Trinidad, Jamaica, St. Vincent and Grenada, thousands of Barbadians and other cricket enthusiasts flocked to Kensington Oval yesterday.
There were T-shirts from Australia, accents from England, and flags held high by supporters from the visiting Pakistani team and just about every Caribbean cricketing territory.
Imagine then the disappointment for the home crowd when Pakistan claimed victory for the first cricket contest on Barbadian soil of the current series.
One of the West Indies' biggest cricket fans had his say.
'I have seen better One-Day International cricket played,' said Prime Minister Owen Arthur shortly after lunch from the Mitchie Hewitt Stand.
However, former president of the Barbados Cricket Association Tony Marshall liked what he saw.
'The West Indies are taking a disciplined approach and are well placed to win. Watching them restrict Pakistan to 197 for eight is what you call a connoisseur's cricket.'
Another cricket fan pleased with what he saw during the first half of play was Minister of Agriculture Anthony Wood.
'I have no doubt that the West Indies will win because they are playing professionally. I am leaving to go to Guyana now, and when I call home I expect to hear that the West Indies won.'
Unfortunately, the Windies batted poorly to spoil Wood's expectations. They made 180, falling short of Pakistan's 197 for eight in 50 overs.
He was also pleased with opening batsman Philo Wallace's performance prior to his departure from the Oval.
'I am pleased to see him at the wicket and if he takes his time, he will stay there for a long time.'
The game was somewhat of a thriller; one minute the West Indies looked destined to win, and the other they looked helpless. The crowd, however, stayed with the team from start to finish.
Patrons were especially receptive to Jimmy Adams, who made his first appearance as captain at the Oval yesterday. And Sylvester Joseph, who in his first One-Day International, 'did well under the circumstances', as one fan was overheard saying.
But aside from the cricket, there were other dramas.
John Griffith, a visitor from Bransley, Yorkshire, England, learnt he was father to a baby boy during the match via an announcement made over the public address system which was met with thunderous applause.
And on a sad note, Margaret Williams' day at cricket was cut short because she was 'not feeling well', according to her son Alex, before an ambulance took her to hospital.