Jeff Dujon: Poetry in Motion
(The Sticky Wicket West Indies Hall of Fame in Antigua launches its voting process to select two more persons to join the select group of legends to be named among "Cricket's Finest". Voting ends November 30, 2006).
Cricket lovers across the globe are still talking about the athleticism and dynamism of Jeffrey Dujon. It has been 16 years since this outstanding wicket-keeper/batsman left the world stage, but his acrobatic catches -- many off the great fast bowlers in the golden era -- are still etched firmly in the minds of those who were lucky enough to witness such brilliance.
He was also graceful in front the stumps as well. He was a delightful strokemaker especially driving through the offside, off the front foot and the back foot. He came in at number seven in the batting order, and had a reassuring presence and sense of calmness in times of crisis.
This was best demonstrated during the final Test against Pakistan in Barbados in 1988. The West Indies were facing a challenging last innings target -- and defeat would have seen them lose the three-match series.
Dujon's contribution of 29 not out came in two hours of vigilance as he added an unbroken stand of 61 for the ninth wicket with Winston Benjamin. It took the West Indies home to an unforgettable victory. His highest Test score, 139, came in the opening match against Australia at WACA Ground in Perth in 1984-85 series, and helped rescue the team from 186 for 6.
He made 81 appearances in Test cricket and made 3322 runs with five centuries. To add to the package he had 272 victims (267 catches and 5 stumpings). He made 169 starts in One-Day Internationals, and made 1945 runs, while adding 183 catches and 21 stumpings as part of his contribution to the team and sometimes batting in the top order.
In his 200 first-class matches he made 9763 runs at an average of just under 40 per innings. He also held 447 catches and made 22 stumpings. Back in 1989 he became one of the few wicket-keepers in history to be named one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year.
His batting record would have made many specialist batsmen proud, and it is therefore no surprise that he actually started his Test career as a specialist batsman. He played two classic knocks of 41 and 43 against Australia in the Boxing Day Test back in 1981 to launch his international career.
Dujon was a schoolboy prodigy and his sporting ability was spotted from an early age. Back then, he was earmarked for an international career. He moved through the ranks and made his first appearance for Jamaica back in 1975 while still a teenager.
His contribution to his country was immense and he eventually retired in 1993. After that he gave back to the game by being one of the senior coaches in the Jamaica Cricket Association's developmental programme and also held coaching classes for young wicket-keepers across the Caribbean.
He has made a career change and is now among the highly respected voices heard in the international television commentary panel.
* NOTE: If Jeffrey Dujon is selected to the Sticky Wicket Hall of Fame, he will join Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Viv Richards, George Headley, Clive Lloyd, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall, Lance Gibbs, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Brian Lara, and Ridley Jacobs.