U.S. billionaire Allen Stanford is trying to remake the face of cricket in hopes of turning it into the number one spectator sport in the world, perhaps one day even surpassing the popularity of football and baseball in his home country.

To this end, he has opened a cricket-themed restaurant (The Sticky Wicket) in Antigua, made a point of honouring West Indian cricket greats via The Sticky Wicket Hall of Fame and built the Stanford Cricket Ground - the location for his latest “big idea” - a 20/20 contest in which the winning team walks away with US$20 million (that's US$1 million per man) and the loser gets…well, nothing.

The “Stanford Superstars” celebrate the taking of another English wicket - Photo courtesy Stanford 20/20 for use by media. Photography credit: Mediaimran - visit his flickr photostream.

It all happened this past weekend. The Stanford Superstars roundly embarrassed the England team, winning the match by an astounding ten wickets and becoming overnight millionaires in the process. West Indian bloggers put in their two cents' worth…

From Trinidad and Tobago, This Beach Called Life says:

Whether people agree or not, 20/20 is the future of Cricket. I say this because in the real world of sports money talks louder than the traditionalist. 20/20 Cricket promoted by billionaire Sir Allen Stanford, has taken the gentleman’s game of cricket to a new commercial level very few sports enjoy. 20/20 may hardly resemble traditional test cricket and the limited 50 over game but it is intensely entertaining and may just be what the Americans will order if it is on the menu.

The 20 million dollar men - Photo courtesy Stanford 20/20 for use by media. Photography credit: Mediaimran - visit his flickr photostream.

Caribbean Beat Blog was thrilled at the victory and thought it went a long way to firing up regional cricket fans who have had more than their fair share of disappointment over the last few years:

A few minutes ago, the West Indies' Stanford Superstars seized a US$20 million victory in the Stanford 20/20 Super Series from tournament favourites England – without losing a wicket!

And it was a thrashing.

The future of the nascent Stanford 20/20 form of cricket, often maligned for being an American abbreviation of the game and for several peculiarities and controversies over the last week, seems to be secure. According to its creator, Sir Allen Stanford, ‘Caribbean cricket is back! This programme is working!'

And whether playing for regional pride or the US$1 million-a-player purse, the team gave often-disappointed West Indies fans plenty to celebrate, and much to feel hopeful about.

Abeni, who was “not actively following the game” from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was “still very happy the team won”:

Given their performances as the West Indies team, I didn't really give them much of a chance but they sure rose to the occasion. My only wish is that the young men use it wisely. Too often we hear of persons who have made millions becoming destitute all because of poor financial decisions. So fellas, enjoy your windfall but live smart.

Champagne Celebration - Photo courtesy Stanford 20/20 for use by media. Photography credit: Mediaimran - visit his flickr photostream.

In the words of Caribbean Beat:

Congrats to our million dollar men!

Girls in costume resting at the side of the street during the Notting Hill Carnival children's parade, Sunday 26 August, 2007. Photo by Cristiano Betta

Today is the August Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom, which means sunny weather, fun outdoors — and Notting Hill Carnival, the largest Caribbean-style carnival in Europe and one of the largest summer festivals anywhere. (In 2006, up to a million people may have participated, either as masqueraders or as spectators.)

Since 1965, the west London neighbourhood of Notting Hill has been home to this event, which is based on the traditions of various Caribbean carnivals (especially Trinidad's), but has also been influenced by festivals and music from the many parts of the world to which today's Londoners trace their heritage. Costumed masqueraders dance along a three-mile parade route to the throb of music from sound systems and live bands, while hundreds of thousands look on, enjoying the spectacle and the food prepared by streetside vendors (looks like you can even get an ice-cold coconut). The carnival now extends over two days, with children's bands parading on the Sunday before the Bank Holiday and adults on the holiday itself.

Meanwhile, hundreds of photographers, pros and amateurs, capture the colour and energy of the revelry, and some of them even post their images online where we can all enjoy them. Here is a selection of photos from this year's Notting Hill Carnival posted on Flickr.

As in J'Ouvert, the pre-dawn event that opens many Caribbean carnivals, these masqueraders have covered themselves in mud; Notting Hill Carnival, Sunday 26 August, 2007. Photo by Robert P. Byrne. (See more of his Notting Hill photos here.)

Children in costume — the girl at left has her whistle to keep time with the music; Sunday 26 August, 2007. Photo by virgorama. (See her full Notting Hill photoset here.)

Looking down the parade route on Ladbroke Grove; Sunday 26 August, 2007. Photo by london emigre. (See his Notting Hill photoset here.)

Basking in the sun — or in the glow of her own costume? Sunday 26 August, 2007. Photo by sallylondon. (See her Notting Hill photoset here.)

The Trinidadian influence may be strongest in Notting Hill Carnival, but the festival has always been celebrated by Londoners with roots in many other Caribbean territories. This woman dances with the national flag of St. Kitts and Nevis; Sunday 26 August, 2007. Photo by virgorama. Masqueraders with the flags of other Caribbean countries: Guyanese, photographed by Tim Fearn; a Trinidadian woman, photographed by Cristiano Betta; a Grenadian, photographed by P*E*T*A.

The Dame Lorraine is a traditional burlesque character in Trinidad Carnival. This Notting Hill version looks comfortable in decorated Crocs. Monday 27 August, 2007. Photo by Cristiano Betta. (See more of his Notting Hill photos here.)

A treat for the eyes and the ears: a costumed drum band livelies things up; Monday 27 August, 2007. Photo by margaritanitz. (See more of her Notting Hill photos here.)

Notting Hill Carnival was long known as a Caribbean festival, but today Londoners from many cultural backgrounds participate. These dancers are costumed in Chinese dresses, complete with fans; Monday 27 August, 2007. Photo by Cristiano Betta.

Those masks, those powdered wigs, those feathers? Venetian, Caribbean, Aztec? No, it's just Notting Hill; Monday 27 August, 2007. Photo by Cristiano Betta.

For more photos by these and other photographers, see Flickr's Notting Hill Carnival 2007 pool.