Cricket worse off without ‘Freddo'

Roy Fredericks was remembered yesterday as an outstanding cricketer, tough competitor, and a dominant, forceful and courageous character who enjoyed life to the fullest.

Fredericks, a small, attacking Guyanese left-hander who represented the West Indies with distinction during the 1970s, died on Tuesday from throat cancer in a New York hospital. He was 58.

Among those paying tribute to the former opening batsman were his one-time first-wicket partner Gordon Greenidge, fellow teammate David Holford and fellow Guyanese Roger Harper.

A former sports minister in the Guyana Cabinet and an ex-West Indies team selector, Fredericks played 59 Tests in which he scored 4334 runs at an average of 42.49.

He is best remembered for his scintillating 169 against Australia in the 1975-76 series in which Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson terrorised West Indies batsmen.

Holford, who played alongside Fredericks and later served on the West Indies selection panel with him, described him as a batsman who was always prepared to take up a challenge.

"He was a very tough competitor, very attacking and always took the fight to the bowler," Holford told NATIONSPORT yesterday.

"He played some wonderful innings which I could recall."

He singled out two centuries in a first-class match between Barbados and Guyana.

Holford, chief executive officer of the West Indies Players' Association, expressed deepest sympathies to Fredericks' family on behalf of himself and on behalf of West Indies players.

Holford also saw Fredericks as someone with a vibrant character.

"He was a very kind individual. He enjoyed a good party and a good life," the former West Indiesall-rounder said.

"He was always committed to West Indies cricket, and committed to doing his best."

As an occasional left-arm back-of-the-hand spinner, Holford said Fredericks used to "have a great laugh when batsmen were not able to read him".

Greenidge said the loss of Fredericks was devastating, especially against the background that a few other former West Indies players had passed away during the last year.

"It's a big blow to the system," Greenidge said.

"I just hope that those who are closer to him and those who spent his last few hours with him were able to comfort him in his last few moments in the hope that they themselves have a very speedy recovery."

Greenidge opened the batting with Fredericks during the early part of his career and described him as batsman who approached the game in an attacking mould.

"His ploy mainly was to dominate before the bowler did," Greenidge said. "Some liked it and some did not, but that's the way he played. I think he was pleased with the way he played. He would not have wanted to change it in any way, shape or form," Greenidge said.

West Indies coach Roger Harper did not even know of Fredericks' death until he returned to the Caribbean yesterday afternoon.

"It's a very, very sad day," a shocked Harper said when NATIONSPORT informed him.

"Roy Fredericks is one of the outstanding Guyanese and West Indies cricketers. The world is worse off having lost him, especially the cricketing world.

"`Freddo' was always willing to lend his advice and knowledge to the young players. He really wanted to see Guyanese and West Indian cricket get back to where it belonged at the top of the world."