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Clyde Walcott dead(The Statesman (India) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Associated Press BRIDEGTOWN (Barbados), Aug. 26: Clyde Walcott, a West Indies cricket legend and the first non-British chairman of the International Cricket Council, died here at a hospital, his wife Muriel said. He was 80. The cause of death was not immediately known. Walcott, a Barbados native known for his powerful batting, was part of the famed West Indies Three Ws in the 1950s, along with Frank Worrell and Everton Weekes. The trio, who were born within a year of each other in Bridgetown, featured in the emergence of the West Indies as a force in the game after World War II. His contribution to the game all over the globe, and to Barbados and the West Indies, were among the best in the history ofthe game. It was invaluable, said Mr Rudi Webster, a former manager of the West Indies team. He was one of our icons. He was a truly great man. Walcott was a strong right-handed batsman, steady medium-pace bowler and an occasional wicketkeeper. He scored 3,788 runs, with 15 centuries, in 44 Tests for the West Indies from 1948-60. His batting average of 56.68 is 15th in the all-time rankings. Clyde had a powerful physique and his batting was based on power and strength, Weekes said. He hit the ball harder than any of us. Walcott kept wicket in 15 Tests before back problems forced him to give it up. He was a true friend and a great man. Whenever I batted with him I enjoyed it, and we have some great times together on and off the field. He was a pretty quiet person but would always find time to talk to you and find out what was going on. Walcott later coached in Barbados and was manager of the West Indies teams that won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979. His time as manager, selector and eventually president of the The West Indies Cricket Board from the late 1970s through the early 1990s coincided with the most successful period of West Indies cricket, when the team did not lose a Test series for 15 years. In 1993, when he resigned as WICB head to become ICC chairman, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to cricket and cricket administration in the West Indies and internationally. In the later years of his playing career, his stint as coach and organizer on Guyanas sugar estates inspired the revival of cricket in the South American country. He captained Guyana and was president of the Guyana Cricket Board before returning to Barbados. Though his health deteriorated in recent years, Walcott seldom missed a major match in Barbados. He was born on 17 January 1926, near Kensington Oval. Walcott is survived by his wife and son, Michael. Another son, Ian, died before him. Walcott first made his mark in 1945-6 when, just 20 years old, he added an unbroken 574 for the fourth wicket with his schoolmate Worrell, for Barbados against Trinidad at Port-of-Spain. Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding paid tribute to his compatriot. On my first tour to England in 1976 he was my manager, Holding said. He helped me a lot. I can give you one example. On that tour wed played against Hampshire and I wasnt very happy. My studs were too short, and I was feeling sorry for myself. Clyde could see this because I as sat at the back of the coach on my own and he just came up and sat down next to me - just to have a chat. After Id told him the problem he suggested I talk to some of the County pros and find out about how to get some new equipment. That was Clyde, he wouldnt wait for you to ask him, he would approach you and try to help. Copyright 2006 The Statesman Ltd. Source: Financial Times Information Limited - Asia Intelligence Wire. |