Remembering Sir Frank Worrell

Sir Frank Worrell died very young at the age of 42. March 13 this year was the 37th anniversary of his death. It was an event that passed almost unnoticed. This was unfortunate because the events surrounding Worrell's life still hold precious lessons for West Indies cricket. Consideration of his captaincy of the West Indies Team would have brought focus to the question of leadership, character and vision: attributes, which are sorely lacking among the denizens of our cricket team.

Frank Worrell was the first black captain of the West Indies cricket team for an entire series. He was graceful, poised and dignified. Worrell embodied all that was noble and deeply attractive in the West Indian character. Articulate, sensitive and West Indian to the core, he gave substance to the view that unity should be the hallmark of the region and its cricket team. Towards the end of his life, contemplating his life's work, he could say that he transformed a bunch of talented and individual players into a unified team.

Early in his life, Worrell's qualities as a batsman and a bowler were recognised in the region. His batting was a model of elegance. An anecdote recorded in Ivo Tennant's biography of Worrell captures this well: an Englishwoman got into an elevator with West Indian cricketers and said "you're from the West Indies, aren't you? When I think of your country I think of Frank Worrell. Watching him play was like going to the ballet."

Worrell was also a thinker. He recognised that Barbados and the Caribbean society were flawed. Worrell spoke against these wrongs, including the meagre financial rewards for players. But none could deny his leadership qualities. And in 1960 the West Indian cricket authorities bowed to the inevitable, and appointed him captain.

Worrell's exploits as a captain in Australia are well known. He helped to transform the approach to Test cricket and won recognition for the West Indies. Under his calm and thoughtful leadership, the talent of the young West Indians, such as Gary Sobers, Rohan Kanhai and Wes Hall, ripened and flourished. Even though his team lost the series to Australia, half a million thronged the streets of Melbourne to say farewell to Worrell's team. No greater accolade could have been paid to the men of the Caribbean.

And when Worrell led the West Indies to victory over England in 1953, it was the apotheosis of a fine career. He retired and other qualities shone.

Frank Worrell became a Jamaican Senator and a Warden at the University of the West Indies. But he did not forget the game that gave him so much joy and fulfilment. Worrell is the author of what is today termed Youth Cricket. In his appreciation of his contribution to West Indian cricket, CLR James said that his was 'the ultimate expression of a most finished personality, who knows his business, theory and practice, and knows modern men.'

That is a good epitaph!