The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket

Message Board Archives

Tony Gray Could Not Make WI team

 
Emir 2017-05-23 07:14:31 

At a time when he could have walked straight in every other international team, including Pakistan who had Imran, Wasim and Waqar.

1963
Given his record, Trinidad paceman Tony Gray, who was born today, was a bit unlucky not to play more than five Tests and 25 one-day internationals. His stats are sensational: Gray averaged 17.13 with the ball in Tests and 18.97 in one-dayers. He took 6 for 50 against Australia on his home ground in 1990-91. A height of 6ft 6in allowed Gray to generate disconcerting bounce, which, combined with genuine pace, made him a fearsome proposition. But injuries, and the emergence of the likes of Ian Bishop, limited Gray's appearances.


Happy Birthday/

 
jelfew 2017-05-23 10:26:15 

In reply to Emir

Happy birthday Tony. I believe he was one of the most unfortunate fast bowler not to have played for the WI. Perhaps he and Bishop was the best fast bowling pair the T&T produced.

 
camos 2017-05-23 10:27:27 

good bowler indeed!

 
Tryangle 2017-05-23 11:24:57 

I faintly remember Tony Gray. But as mentioned, competition for a spot in the vaunted Windies pace attack of the 80s and early 90s? Mercy.

Those stats though.. brilliant.

 
Dukes 2017-05-23 13:19:44 

Tony Gray, Tony Merrick and George Ferris were three fast bowlers born at the wrong time. If they were born 30 years later they would be currently spearheading the WI team to victory after victory today.

 
doosra 2017-05-23 15:37:09 

In reply to Dukes

i read on a thread on facebook from laconic about merrick i think...he was mad fast from what they say

 
BenGman 2017-05-23 20:34:38 

Tony Gray was my first ever cricket coach. The Ministry of Sport/Education assigned him to my secondary school for 3 months free of charge to the students. This was an all girls school. He was very disciplined, patient, humble and paid attention to details.

Happy Birthday Coach Gray!

 
Emir 2017-05-23 21:40:12 

In reply to jelfew

True

 
Emir 2017-05-23 21:42:11 

In reply to Dukes

We had about 10 fast bowlers who could have made most international teams. Take India, they only had Kapil.

There was a feller called Norbert Philip, he was in the all rounder mode, but just had to get on line.

 
imusic 2017-05-23 22:36:48 

They say he also ruin Ravi Rampaul

 
jcveletta 2017-05-23 23:23:48 

In reply to Dukes

what about lesline lambert?

 
mikelegend 2017-05-23 23:37:14 

In reply to jcveletta

I think he was injury prone. Best out of Guyana during that time was Linden Joseph and the medium pacer Barrington Browne.

 
imusic 2017-05-24 00:03:51 

Colin Stuart was pretty sharp

 
Norm 2017-05-24 01:46:05 

LT Gray - aka El Tigre.

 
Dukes 2017-05-24 10:50:29 

In reply to jcveletta

Linden Joseph had the talent to be a successful test cricketer but did not have the temperament.

 
camos 2017-05-24 11:25:48 

In reply to Emir

There was a feller called Norbert Philip, he was in the all rounder mode, but just had to get on line




also Jim Allen both combine Islands players.

 
Runs 2017-05-24 16:43:12 

In reply to camos

Norbert lives in NY met him a few years ago, still passionate about WI cricket. I think he represented WI during the Packer period, good cricketer.

 
WestDem 2017-05-24 17:28:24 

In reply to mikelegend


I think he was injury prone. Best out of Guyana during that time was Linden Joseph and the medium pacer Barrington Browne.


Leslaine Lambert did not play with these two...he was already gone from the cricket scene...

 
methodic 2017-05-24 20:42:51 

In reply to Emir

you know the real story behind Gray's omission right?

 
tc1 2017-05-24 21:06:43 

In reply to methodic

The Bajan Mafia stop him from playing

lol lol lol lol lol

 
Emir 2017-05-24 21:22:01 

In reply to methodic

you know the real story behind Gray's omission right?


No, I assume like many other fantastic players of that era who couldn't get in b/c our first 11 were all greats.

Is there a different narrative?

 
Emir 2017-05-24 21:23:45 

In reply to Runs

Norbert lives in NY met him a few years ago, still passionate about WI cricket. I think he represented WI during the Packer period, good cricketer.


Correct he played against the visiting Aussies who were also decimated by Packer. They were led by Bobby Simpson, WI were led by Alvin K, and Norbert Philip played the entire series I believe.

 
methodic 2017-05-24 22:27:22 

In reply to Emir

Anytime you go to Trinidad, ask around the older cricket fraternity and they will confirm this.

And the story goes 'West Indies were on tour in India and on the first morning of a test match the players were examining the pitch. Gray looked at the pitch and said, "I not bending me back on dat". Richards looked at him as if to say who the hell is he to talk like this. Big fast bowlers like Marshall and the crew ain't say nothing and Gray talking bout he ain't bending he back.' I don't think he played a test match on that tour. I know for sure he wasn't selected for West Indies after that tour when many thought he should be in the team.

 
methodic 2017-05-24 22:33:19 

In reply to Emir

The great and funniest comedian I ever heard (He is the best Trinidad had in my book) named Tommy Joseph made a joke about it that went like this.

Some reporters asked Richards which color he hate the most? Richards said "Gray".

 
Emir 2017-05-24 22:38:36 

In reply to methodic

I find it hard to believe for numerous reasons. In those days, they players were high class PROS. Opportunities were limited and players took things very seriously. The set up back then among the players were incredible patriotic and a desire to always win and win big.

 
methodic 2017-05-24 23:07:31 

In reply to Emir


I encourage you to research it. I spoke to two people about it. One of them grew up with Gray. The other is an ex Harvard cricketer that is connected to some established names in T+T cricket and both stories corroborate each other.

 
Dukes 2017-05-25 04:08:17 

In reply to methodic

And the story goes 'West Indies were on tour in India and on the first morning of a test match the players were examining the pitch. Gray looked at the pitch and said, "I not bending me back on dat". Richards looked at him as if to say who the hell is he to talk like this. Big fast bowlers like Marshall and the crew ain't say nothing and Gray talking bout he ain't bending he back.' I don't think he played a test match on that tour. I know for sure he wasn't selected for West Indies after that tour when many thought he should be in the team.


Wi toured India under Viv Richards in 1987-1988 when Carl Hooper made his test debut and scored a century in his second test match.
Here are the members of the sixteen man touring team
Eldine Baptiste
Winston Benjamin
Vivian Richards
Gordon Greenidge
Richie Richardson
Jeffrey Dujon
Augustine Logie
Carl Hooper
Desmond Haynes
Roger Harper
Phil Simmons
David Williams
Clyde Butts
Courtney Walsh
Winston Davis
Patrick Patterson

Where did I get this?
The tour batting averages with Baptiste and Benjamin on top due to several not outs.
I do not think that Viv captained WI on any other test tour of India

 
methodic 2017-05-25 10:58:23 

In reply to Dukes

I might have the wrong tour, I have a call in to Trinidad, I will get back to you.

 
methodic 2017-05-28 09:58:30 

In reply to Dukes

I placed a call to a long time commentator and former T+T bat and this is what he said, "I cannot confirm the incident on tour but Tony Gray was accused of not bending his back when the pitch was flat".