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Happy 80th birthday Lance Gibbs
Narper
2014-09-28 18:50:05
None of those who have survived into their eighth decade played as many Tests as Gibbs’ 79 Tests or longer than his 18 years. He was the second bowler, after England’s fast bowler, Fred Trueman, to 300 Test wickets – his final count when he played his last Test in Australia in 1976 - was 307.
Tall, slim and fit enough to wheel away his sharply spun off-breaks for hour after hour, Gibbs was a ferocious competitor. Team mates jibed that if he was a fast bowler, he would have been a grave danger to batsmen.
Resident in Florida for over 30 years, he remains involved in West Indies cricket as consultant to sponsors, Digicel.
The other Test over-80s still alive are:
Andy Ganteaume, 93 (one Test, 194
; Roy Miller, 89 (one Test, 1953); Sir Everton Weekes, 89 (48 Tests, 1948-5
; Alfie Binns, 85 (five Tests, 1953-56); Joe Solomon, 84 (27 Tests, 1958-65); Bruce Pairaudeau, 83 (13 Tests, 1953-57); Cammie Smith, 81 (five Tests, 1960-62); Basil Butcher, 81 (44 Tests, 1958-69); Tom Dewdney, 80 (nine Tests, 1955-5
; Seymour Nurse, 80 (29 Tests, 1960-69); Jackie Hendriks, 80 (20 Tests, 1962-69); Hammond Furlonge, 80 (three Tests, 1955-56); Willie Rodriguez, 80 (five Tests, 1962-6
; Alfred Scott, 80 (one Test, 1953); Reg Scarlett, 80 (three Tests, 1960).
Link
Narper
2014-09-28 18:53:06
Full name Lancelot Richard Gibbs
Born September 29, 1934, Queenstown, Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana
Current age 80 years 0 days
Major teams West Indies, British Guiana, Guyana, South Australia, Warwickshire
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak
Relation Cousin - CH Lloyd
Profile
With his lissom figure and unusually long fingers, Lance Gibbs allied pronounced spin and bounce to a fierce accuracy, and all from an unusual chest-on action. In his later years he added the arm-ball to his repertoire, and add into the equation almost unlimited stamina and determination (he had a permanently sore and often split spinning-finger), and his feat of being only the second bowler - and first spinner - to pass 300 wickets is understandable. He ended with 309 wickets in 79 Tests - including 18 five-fors - all the while conceding his runs at a staggering 1.99 per over.
Brave and indefatigable, his best spell came between 1960 and 1962. He was left out of the first two Tests in Australia, but Gibbs took three wickets in four balls at Sydney and a hat-trick in the next Test at Adelaide. The following winter he returned the remarkable figures of 53.3-37-38-8 against India in Barbados, all eight wickets coming in a 15- over spell at a cost of just six runs. It was a performance he never bettered.
After his retirement he settled in the USA, although he did manage the 1991 West Indies tour of England.
Cricinfo
Ewart
2014-09-28 20:07:34
In reply to Narper
Salutations, Sir Lancelot.
//
imusic
2014-09-28 20:11:39
Dukes
2014-09-29 03:23:43
In reply to Narper
Happy Birthday Lance
I remember him saying
When West Indies lose I cry
camos
2014-09-29 03:48:50
SpudsMcKenzie
2014-09-29 04:57:36
In reply to Dukes
Didnt u bowl with him in tandem for his club in Queenstown.......DCC??
@RMc@
nickoutr
2014-09-29 05:46:52
Happy Birthday ... thank you for the example shown during your days of Guyana and west indian cricket
WestDem
2014-09-29 05:48:58
Happy Birthday to Mr Lance....one of the true legend... 
Dukes
2014-09-29 05:57:14
In reply to SpudsMcKenzie
We played together at DCC in the 60's along with your nephew Howard who was the wicketkeeper!!
Very pleasant memories
Regards
CWWeekes
2014-09-29 05:58:18
H
Happy Birthday Mr. "Toothpick" Gibbs. Liked the lion-hearted competiveness you showed on the field. 1963 & 1966 performances at Old trafford and 1965 at Bourda against the Aussies standout in my memory.
BeatDball
2014-09-29 07:03:12
80 not out N 80 on a test is very good! Happy birthday to the one man who weeps when WI lose - like myself too.
hubert
2014-09-29 07:41:28
In reply to Narper
Happy Birthday Toothpick ; and thanks for some nice memories on and off the field.
kingie
2014-09-29 08:16:20
Happy Birthday to Lance,my idol when I was growing up,patterned my bowling action after his.....never got much turn but at least I looked good
Scar
2014-09-29 15:57:24
Happy birthday Lance, hope you see many more. Best offie ever lived and gully fielder too! Learned to bowl offies because of you. Best wishes once again!
Dan_De_Lyan
2014-09-29 22:18:47
In reply to CWWeekes
You were there...damn...you old.
Your typewriter have Internet connection!
Happy day Mr Gibbs
CWWeekes
2014-09-30 11:39:34
In reply to Dan_De_Lyan
Yes Mr. Lyan, this oldster "saw it all" listening to the the family owned Berec Battery operated Phillips radio. Still trying to clear the kinks in the typewriter to internet connection.
Bigzinc
2014-09-30 12:33:59
In reply to Narper
Happy birthday to a true great...
googley
2014-09-30 16:27:27
Happy Birthday batting coach!
