IYSN: RIP Jim Allen

The Superstar that never was.

Jim's story

In reply to voiceofreason
I delivered the Jim Allen Lecture in Montserrat a while back. Met him too.
He was better than the entire batting line up today.

By the way I still have pumice stone from the volcano

In reply to voiceofreason

One of the finest that never played for the West Indies. Talented as Viv Richards some say even more so?? I may have seen him at Bourda. I can’t remember now, but I know of his exploits in shell shield.

In reply to Chrissy

Nice. Jim's era was before I started following WI cricket but his legend transcends generations. My paternal grandmother hails from Montserrat and she was an fervent cricket supporter who used to listen to live coverage on her transistor radio. Yes he would have walked into Today's squad.


Some highlights of Jim at Kerry Packer:
Video

In reply to voiceofreason

In reply to voiceofreason

Some say he was as good as Viv, RIP

Excellent batsman. Unlucky not to have played for West Indies.

This is sad news indeed. RIP

RIP.....

In 1975, a question was posed to Sir Everton on the selection of Viv ahead of Jim Allen. Without hesitating, Sir Everton said, When Jim was scoring the occasional hundred, Viv was consistently scoring fifties, now that Viv is scoring hundreds consistently, Jim is scoring the occasional fifty.
I have written about Viv and Jim numerous times.
Sitting with my Antiguan brother and Sir Everton that evening is the reason I have every copy of Benson and Hedges West Indies cricket Annual and Red Stripe Caribbean Cricket Quarterly.
Peter Lashley and Easton McMorris had a way better FC average than Jim.

Don't try making history without getting data.

A very good batsman who tormented Shell Shield bowlers.

RIP.

In reply to voiceofreason

RIP to Jim Allen…many back in the day believed he was better than the great IVA Richards….a claim that was not without merit given his early exploits…

In reply to voiceofreason
Thanks - he was a victim of insularity

In reply to Chrissy

Jim Allen was also a gun fielder..one of the very best

In reply to openning

Not a time for controversy Opening. Condolences to Jim's family. While McMorris and Lashley pooed their pants in tests Jim Allen took on the best of the best in Packer and proved himself. Even out-batted some of WI top-order at least once.

In reply to voiceofreason

Commentators should have realised that there were more people in that Park than on the whole island of Montserrat. RIP Jim Allen. Always a hero in the region. Condolences to his family and friends

In reply to voiceofreason

Thanks for your contributions Jim Allen.

In reply to voiceofreason

After hearing so much about Jim Allen I paid my money and finally got a chance to see him bat. He walked to the crease at number 3 and I expected a classical stance like Colin Cowdrey. What I got was a wide legged, two eyed stance in a deep crouch. I was not impressed.

Then he began his innings and peppered the ball to all parts of the field with an entertaining half century. All his strokes came right from the middle of the bat. He had good eyes, quick reflexes and hit the ball brutally hard. Suddenly, I became a believer.

Thanks for the memories Jim Allen. RIP.

RIP Jim Allen and condolences to the entire family. You did entertain the regional fans! Your family, fans and those met you… Peace!

In reply to Fivestar

Nice tribute.

In reply to Brerzerk

Condolences to his family.
I left Bim in April 1970, and I never heard of Jim Allen until a night at dinner with my Antiguan cricket-loving brother and Sir Everton, my brother who ate, slept, and wore cricket, asked the question.
I asked Sir Everton that evening why he gave light so quickly to batsmen. He replied that cricket is an amateur sport in Barbados; if any player gets hurt, who is going to look after the family?
After the 1980 Olympics with Australia hired a number of former Canadian athletes as coaches, separating the Ministry of Sports and Culture, I knew then that cricket was no longer just bat and ball.
Some Fans still underestimate the learning that Clive Lloyd's team got from playing County cricket, or others received from league cricket.
Our youngsters are prepared at the U19 level; after that, their ability to further develop is nonexistent.
Some guys are still working 9-5, running from league to league, without developing their game, is not a way to build a team.
There is no doubt Bravo and others are good T20 league players, but coming together, Russell, Bravo, Pollard, Sammy, and others are like having 4-5 players selected for one role.

In reply to Chrissy

I think he was more a victim.of the board. He may have been the only 9ne to play Packer before debuting in tests. That sealed his fate!

Tears for Jim Allen, while Sobers shed tears