Remembering Sir Clyde

It is not often an international sportsman/sportswoman has reached the end of their career, and then to have everyone saying that he/she has done what he/she had to do, as well as, or better than anyone has done what they did.

In the case of Sir Clyde Walcott, he served cricket in every capacity with unparalleled distinction.

After serving Barbados and West Indies cricket teams with extraordinary success, he turned to coaching in British Guiana with Sugar Producers/Bookers in 1953.

His first visit to Port Mourant Sugar Estate was when the late Robert Christiani was the Personnel Manager, and upon his recommendation he introduced Rohan Kanhai, myself and Ivan Madray to British Guiana national cricket trials.

Joe Solomon and Sunny Moonsammy had gone to trials since 1950. On a personal note I remember batting with Sir Clyde in my first trial match and he played the ball and nodded I stood my ground and he was run out. I only knew 'yes' or 'no' when running between the wickets and I thought my career was over running out Sir Clyde! However he was one that did not ever accept failure as an option.

Two years later sugar estates had six players on the British Guiana Cricket team and the rest is history.

Sir Clyde later served as a selector, captain and eventually President of the British Guiana Cricket Board. He left British Guiana and returned to his native Barbados. His service to world cricket continued as a West Indies team manager, selector, President of the West Indies Cricket Board and ultimately the President of the International Cricket Council.

His performance was exemplary in every aspect that he served; a monument of strength and someone to emulate.

* Basil Butcher averaged 43.11 in 44 Tests for the West Indies in the 1950s and 1960s.