Ivan Madray dies at 74

Former Guyana and West Indies cricketer Ivan Madray died aged 74 at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Thursday, a day after being admitted with hypertension.

A middle-order batsman and leg break bowler, Madray played two Tests against Pakistan in 1957-58, scoring three runs and taking one wicket. His first-class career comprised six matches and was over by the time he was 24, after which he moved to England and played for Lincolnshire.

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), in a statement, said young cricketers could learn much from how Madray played his cricket, especially from his discipline, passion and hard work.

Born on July 2, 1934 at Port Mourant, Madray made his first class debut for British Guiana against the touring Australians on April 20, 1955. He was one of several cricketers to emerge from Port Mourant under the guidance of Sir Clyde Walcott. His contemporaries included Basil Butcher, Rohan Kanhai and Joe Solomon.

Madray also played alongside some famous West Indies cricketers such as Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Conrad Hunte, Rohan Kanhai and Lance Gibbs in his debut Test against Pakistan at the Queen's Park Oval, in a match the hosts went on to win by 120 runs.