A number of Barbadian cricketing greats were honoured today as part of the activities organised by the National Assistance Board to celebrate Senior Citizens Month.
While speaking during the ceremony at which the cricketers were recognised for their contribution to the game, Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, noted that they paved the way for the West Indies to be empowered to defeat other Test teams like Australia and England, which previously appeared invincible.
???The purists and even critics of the day applaud you, the vintage players who exhibited such graceful, stylish and classy stroke-making. Added to that was your fiery, hostile and intimidating fast bowling as well as the penetrative and deceptive medium-paced bowling and the guile of the slow and spin bowling.
???You were a complete and compact outfit. It is debatable whether your tremendous feats on the field of play will ever be duplicated or replicated, even though some of today???s cricketers recognise you as mentors and as such, attempt to emulate you,??? he stated.
The Minister added that the legends were the early ambassadors of both Barbados and the West Indies, and left their legacy and indelible mark in the sport of cricket the world over. The legends were also advised that they were well placed to assist younger cricketers in perfecting the game.
Among those honoured were Robin Bynoe, Peter Lashley, Seymour Nurse, Rawle Brancker, Arthur Beckles, Charlie Griffith, Sir Wesley Hall, Sir Everton Weekes, David Holford, Algy Symmonds and David Allen. Cricket commentators Donna Symmonds, Sam Wilkinson and Tony Cozier were also recognised for their contribution to the game.
After the ceremony, a match was played in honour of the legends between the UWI Principals 11 and a Combined Schools 11.
kim.ramsay-moore@barbados.gov.bb