Pat Legall: 1934-2004

Former Guyana fast bowler and team manager Pat Legall has passed away in the USA after a long battle with cancer. He was 70.

Legall is best known as one of the most successful team managers in the history of West Indies youth cricket, serving from 1990 to 1998 when Guyana won an unprecedented six successive titles.

He also served as manager of the senior Guyana team from 1999 through 2002, when he took ill.

A long-time member of the Malteenoes Sports Club, Legall played in 11 first class matches for British Guyana in the 1950s and 1960s. The right-arm pacer finished his career with 27 wickets at 29.59 per, with a career-best 5-24 against Barbados.

Legall leaves to mourn his wife and three kids.

Fast bowler Reon King described Legall's passing as a painful loss. "I remember Mr Legall as more than a manager. He was a father, coach and friend."

"He was instrumental in my successes in my youth cricket years and my rise into Test cricket. He was always there for me when I needed advice, may it be cricket-related or anything in general," King said from England upon hearing the news.

Caribbean journalist Donovan Matthews, who covered Guyana's youth cricket success in the 1990s, remembers Legall as a "tough competitor."

"He was tough and he believed in working hard, but he was also very approachable. He was a father figure for the young cricketers whom he managed and always had their best interests at heart," Matthews said.

"I think his regimental approach to fitness played a big part in the six successive victories by the Under-19 team."