Remembering 9 September 1959: Collie Smith and the future that never arrived, 67 years ago today.
Collie Smith had already made a century on Test debut, become a Wisden Cricketer of the Year, and convinced Garry Sobers that he might become the better all-rounder. Then came a road outside Staffordshire and the heaviest what-if in West Indies cricket.
For two days, hope lingered.
The crash had happened before dawn on 7 September 1959, on the A34 near Stone in Staffordshire, England. Garry Sobers was driving. Tom Dewdney, another Jamaica and West Indies cricketer, was beside him. O'Neil Gordon "Collie" Smith was asleep in the back when their car collided with a cattle truck.
Sobers and Dewdney suffered cuts and bruises. Smith was thrown forward. At first his injuries did not appear fatal. He was conscious and, according to accounts repeated by those close to the players, told Sobers, “Don't worry about me. Look after the big fellow (Dewdney).” The seriousness of the damage to Smith's spine only became clear later. He slipped into a coma and died in hospital on 9 September.
He was 26.