Not only the current crop, there were a few stars of the past too who are involved in different capacities for the series. The most noticeable of the latter lot were former West Indies fast bowlers Colin Croft and Ian Bishop, both 6 feet five or above and with imposing frames. Bishop is commentating on TV while Croft is doing his bit for BBC radio. There was Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar, now a commentator, in a casual fatua and jeans keeping watch on his little daughter and son and Roshan Mahanama, the former Sri Lankan opener and match-referee for the series but looking every bit a 25-year-old.

However, the biggest attraction still was Brian Lara and his every movement was being monitored by the passengers at the departure lounge. Whether it is intentional or purely a matter of coincidence, Lara usually plays along that extra-attention.

When all the players were seated inside the plane, there was one passenger yet to board the BWIA flight to Kingston and it was Lara. As he walked to the boarding stairs, a lady passenger spotted him on the tarmac out of the window and gasped, "There comes the Prince!"

Well, the 'Prince' got in, gave those whose eyes crossed his, a charming smile and then took his seat. When the plane landed at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, everyone had got down except you now know who? And while the rest of the squad were in their white team shirt, there was one who had the red on. Yes, your guess is right!

Manjarul Islam Rana was faced with a problem you normally experience travelling by trains back home. Someone else had the same seat number on the flight to Kingston from Barbados. So Manjarul was given a temporary spot up to the tiny island of St. Marteen where the plane had a brief stopover.

After that he was placed between two of the fastest bowlers in the West Indies, Tino Best and Fidel Edwards. While Edwards was more busy listening to music, Best was in the mood for a sporting chat.

"I saw you in the one-dayers and you were running around. So how many are you guys getting in Jamaica, 144?" asked Best. Manjarul was prompt in his reply.

"If we get 144, you'll lose your ninth wicket at 120 and then maybe get to 150 at best."

Best took a moment and then roared back. "Good confidence buddy but I'll see you after Bangladesh are gone for 51."