“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” – Philippians 4:13

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting for the final time as a Director of the Graham Gooding Trust Fund with fellow retirees and Directors Professor Sean Carrington of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus and Orlando “Gabby” Scott of Barbados Workers’ Union.

Established in 1990, the Trust honors the memory of Graham Gooding (1915-1987), a remarkable scientist whose work contributed to botany, food technology, and environmental conservation and awareness. Earlier this year, the remaining funds in the Trust’s account were endowed to the UWI Cave Hill Campus to continue supporting the annual Graham Gooding Biology Prize well into the future.

After the meeting, we reflected on our various international experiences. During our conversation, my colleagues discovered I had played cricket at a respectable level during my postgraduate years in Jamaica and the UK from 1960 to 1968.

In unison, they exclaimed, “You played cricket, Basil? We always thought of you as just an academic. Tell us about it.” Prompted by their curiosity and encouragement, I decided to share my fond experiences in my column series.

Well, it all started in 1958 at age 17. My enthusiasm for cricket as a West Indies fan had grown through listening to cricket on the radio, watching live matches from the schoolboy stands, and even operating the scoreboard at Kensington Oval as a Boy Scout. This enthusiasm led me to play the game myself. I scored a century for the Harrison College (HC) 2nd eleven that year against Windward Club on HC’s small ground.

I distinctly remember executing one boundary during that game. The ball sailed into the headmaster’s office window, smashing a water jug. Word got around, and I was summoned to the headmaster’s office the next school day to confirm I was the culprit. Perhaps out of hidden pride, there was no punishment for the encounter. However, I did learn one lesson that day. My lack of fitness was such that it took me a week to recover physically from my heroics.

During my last year at Harrison College (1959/1960), I played competently for the 1st eleven team. Still, it was enjoyable, though without any consistent peaks of success.

One memory that stands out occurred in a Barbados Cricket Association First Division game against Spartan Club. I was facing fast bowler Wesley Hall – later Reverend Dr. Sir Wes – at his prime. Late in the afternoon, he served up a fast half-volley, and somehow, shivering in my boots, I stroked it gently – some say elegantly – through extra cover for four. I must credit that technique to Everton Weekes (Later Sir Everton), my batting coach at HC.

The next delivery was a different beast. It came at my 160-pound mass of flesh and bone – a fierce, fast bouncer, fortunately just outside the off stump. I swung, got a top edge, and the ball flew over the slips for another four. “You should not have done that,” was the chorus from the slips cordon.

What came next? Somehow, I got out of the way of a delivery so quick it whizzed past my chin. Thankfully, it was the last ball of the over. I was relieved to hear the umpire call play for the day.

This was just the beginning of my love affair with cricket. In my next series of columns, I will recount my meeting with Frank Worrell (later Sir Frank) in Jamaica in 1960 and England in 1964 before his untimely death in 1967. I’ll also share stories of returning to the Caribbean upon completing my studies in 1968, balancing academia with occasional on-the-field cricketing exploits until I hung up my boots in 1981.

You’ll also hear about an administrative connection with Clyde Walcott (later Sir Clyde) in 1979, my interactions with Sir Wes again as Chairman of Cricket Legends of Barbados in 2006, and my cameo in the film “Hit for Six” (2007). Lastly, I’ll recount a visit with my sons to ICC headquarters in Dubai, connections with Sir Clyde before his tenure as Chairman of ICC, and, more recently, my time on the board of the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Committee in Trinidad (2014-2018), where I met Sir Everton once more before his passing.

 

 

(Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a corporate governance adviser. You may reach him via email at basilgf@marketplaceexcellence.com. His columns may be found at https://www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com).