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Tribute to the late Ezra Alphonso Moseley, Barbadian West Indies Cricketer.

On behalf of the Government and People of Barbados, I express our deepest condolences to the family of the late Mr. Ezra Alphonso Moseley, Barbadian West Indies Cricketer and renowned fast bowler. 

Ezra made Barbados proud with his First Class cricket debut in 1980, when he played for the Glamorgan County Cricket Club in the English County Championships. It was then that he became known for his fiery fast bowling, having taken over 100 wickets in his first two seasons.  

Ezra, like many Barbadian cricketers, continued to play English county cricket and remained at Glamorgan until 1986, when he turned professional in the Lancashire Leagues. This period also saw him debuting for Barbados in 1981 and later playing with Northern Transvaal in the South African domestic cricket league.

Ezra’s extraordinary skills with the ball led to him taking 279 wickets in 135 first-class matches, at an average of 23.31 runs. Even more phenomenal was his capturing of 102 wickets in 79 List A matches, at an impressive rate of 3.75 runs per over.

The etching of his name in cricketing fame continued with Ezra’s short, but illustrious career with the West Indies Team, when he played in two Test matches and nine One Day Internationals in 1990 and 1991. It was during these matches that the opposing teams felt the full fury of the pace bowling for which he became renowned worldwide.

Notwithstanding having attained an injury that eventually led to him retiring from professional cricket in 1992, Ezra’s dedication to the game guided him to become a chief selector for the Barbados senior men’s side and the highly successful Barbados women’s team. 

His invaluable contribution to the development of cricket in Barbados and West Indies cricket continued with him being appointed as an assistant coach for the West Indies’ women’s team. 

Ezra continued to make his mark in the field of coaching at the St. Michael’s School, where he touched the lives of many young Barbadian cricketers, including West Indies Captain Jason Holder, who all benefited from his expert tutelage.

Ezra may have journeyed to the eternal pavilion, but he will be fondly remembered by Barbadians, West Indians and cricket enthusiasts globally, as a cricketer par excellence, an outstanding coach and a role model for aspiring sportspersons. 

Barbadians and the cricket community worldwide are deeply saddened by Ezra’s passing and will miss this cricketing icon and fine gentleman.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Hon. Dwight Sutherland,
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment

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