WICB honours its greats

Within recent days, two of West Indies cricket's most celebrated sons Sir Vivian Richards and Courtney Walsh have been honoured for their respective outstanding contributions to the game.

By the time this column appears, two more Sir Everton Weekes and Curtly Ambrose would also have been in the spotlight as Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad marks its 50th Test match; only the eighth cricket venue to do so and the first outside of England or Australia.

On the eve of the first Cable & Wireless Test in Guyana, it was announced that starting with the current series, and continuing with all Test series to follow between the West Indies and South Africa, these two teams would compete for the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy.

Both the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) agreed it would be a tribute to the exceptional contribution which Sir Vivian has made to world cricket and an inspiration to players on both sides.

During the Guyana Test, Walsh the leading Test wicket-taker who is two scalps away from an unprecedented 500 Test wickets received that country's fourth-highest award (the Golden Arrow of Achievement) from President Bharrat Jagdeo. The Jamaican was also awarded honorary citizenship by the mayor and presented with a gift by the Guyana Cricket Board.

Queen's Park Oval has chosen to herald its 50th Test match by unveiling boards with the names of 80 century-makers and 68 bowlers with five-wicket hauls at that ground to date.

Sir Everton, who scored 1074 runs in seven Tests (including four hundreds) at that venue, was asked to unveil the centuries' board while Ambrose, who boasts a record 66 Test wickets at Queen's Park Oval (including six five-wicket hauls), was asked to do likewise for the bowlers' board.

These salutes are by no means the first time any of our cricketing legends have been honoured. Across the region, the men who have been architects of our glorious on-field legacy have repeatedly been rewarded via national awards; stands at cricket grounds being named after them; benefit matches; honorary degrees; testimonial dinners and countless other acts.

We at the WICB believe the legacy of our great warriors should not be allowed to drift into oblivion. Rather, we feel it should be celebrated by the significant and tangible gestures such as those previously mentioned.

This is not just to perpetuate memories of our past stalwarts and their success but, more importantly, to inspire current and future generations of West Indian cricketers.

They must know their history. They must know in whose footsteps they follow and that they are expected to strive to emulate the high ideals and achievements of men like George Headley, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sonny Ramadhin, Alf Valentine, Lance Gibbs, Roy Fredericks, Clive Lloyd, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall and, of course, Sir Everton, Sir Vivian, Ambrose and Walsh.

These are but a few of the heroes with which our rich cricketing history is replete, and no one can challenge that Sir Vivian is among the most brilliant of them. He was an outstanding servant of West Indies cricket who captivated us all with awesome, powerful strokeplay and by the fearless manner in which he decimated opposing bowling attacks and won many great battles for the West Indies.

In establishing the trophy in his name, the WICB and the UCBSA hope all Sir Vivian's fine attributes a commitment to cricket, a love for his craft and his belief in himself and hard work will shine through as an example of what is required to achieve sporting excellence. The same can be seen in dozens of others who have worn the maroon cap.

So, on occasions when we pause to honour the great sons of West Indies cricket, it is important that we reflect on what we are doing at such times.

We are linking the past, present and future of our beloved sport. It is a crucial connection for those who now bestride our cricket pitches and for those aspiring to do so.

For just as Sir Vivian, Walsh and other cricketers of recent vintage were inspired by heroes of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s, so will future West Indian cricketing talents be captivated by their accomplishments and strive for the success which they attained in their illustrious careers.