Brooks on the ball

THE TRIUMPHS and tribulations of the region's most-loved game are captured by renowned photographer Gordon Brooks in his book Caught In The Act - 20 Years Of West Indies Cricket Photography.

The 144-page hard-bound edition was launched last Saturday evening in the boardroom at Kensington Oval and adds to the growing vein of work on regional cricket.

The book has three well-written articles, by Harold Hoyte, editor-in-chief of The NATION, former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd and president of the West Indies Cricket Board Reverend Wes Hall.

Dedicated to Brooks' former business partner, the late Cyprian LaTouche, it also features more than 150 black and white photographs spanning the Clive Lloyd years (1981-84), the Vivian Richards years (1985-91) as well as the turbulent period 1992-95 and 1996-2000 with its moderate gains.

"It feels great," was how Brooks summed up the achievement. "I must confess I am really humbled by the outpouring of good wishes and so forth."

The thought-provoking and emotive pictures capture scenes like the triumph over England in 1984; it provides a montage of the greats like Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Sir Vivian Richards, Joel Garner and Michael Holding, as well as Sir Garry Sobers with Brian Lara after his 375 in Antigua.

The abandonment of the Test at Sabina Park in 1998; Jimmy Adams with his hands strapped during the 1999 South Africa tour when he severed the tendons; Walsh passing 376 Test scalps and the whitewash against South Africa, losing the Frank Worrell Trophy to Australia and the knighting of Sir Vivian in 2000 are just some of the memorable moments captured on film.

Minister of Sport Rudolph Greenidge delivered the feature address, filling in for Prime Minister Owen Arthur. The speech he read captures the essence of the book, comments on its social and historical significance and also lauds the author.

"He must be applauded for taking this innovative approach for recording and preserving West Indian cricket," Greenidge said. "And indeed through Brooks' lens and the absorbing accompanying text of Tony Cozier, our history is kept alive. He showcased the waxing and waning of West Indies cricket, the highs and the lows, the truthful and, no doubt at times, painful record of our game surely speaks to the calibre of the man."

Brooks thanked his family, office staff, Carl Moore, who did "the donkey work" at the beginning, Miller Publishing, 809 Design and Dynamic Imaging for helping with the birth of his baby and its professional finish.