Late Conrad Hunte - a gentleman to his finger tips

by A. C. de Silva.

CRICKET: The former West Indies cricketing great Conrad Hunte has said that he sees a great destiny for cricketers and all sportsmen. Sport is no longer just a pastime for some or a source of income for others. It is a powerful mass medium through which great West Indian author and patriot, wrote in his book: 'Beyod a Boundary "The values of cricket, like much else that is now in eclipse, will go into the foundations of new moral and educational structures."

This is a prophetic note for sportsmen of our generation. I take this prophecy seriously. He was a gentleman to his finger tips. Hunte says that he believes the real task of all sportsmen goes beyond the boundaries of sports. The task is to build a new world where permanent unity, peace and character are secured.

The time has come for every sportsman to be a patriot who will play to win as well as "Play the game", every administrator to be elected of a basis of character and ability, not on a basis of politics; every spectator, sportsman and administrator alike to play the price of liberty and peace by living honestly, unselfishly, fearlessly and straight and by challenging all others to do the same. Conrad Hunte has said that cricket was his life. "My father and my mother encouraged me to play cricket". He has said that at 31 years, he had four sisters and three brothers.

The fame, the fees, the favours he received through his cricket did not fully satisfy his deepest Ionging to do something great for his country and the world. "I saw many things that were wrong in my country and other countries, but I was helpless to put them right. My hands were tied by the lies I told to keep in with the crowd and my life was ineffective because of the compromises I indulged in for my own pleasure. There was a big gap between the way I lived and the way I talked. "Hunte said.

"I used to live for my cricket alone. This was too small an aim. Then I changed to live something bigger than myself and cricket." added the West Indian cricketing great.

He said that he played cricket in India and the young and the old flocked to see the new ideals that are connected with cricket.

Hunte was determined to wage war with people who would smear the image of others. God's will seems far better and bigger than man's".said Hunte and added that he wanted to build a new world free from prejudice, division, hatred and fear of any kind.

The very pleasant looking Conrad Hunte was a much loved personality here in Sri Lanka too. He was here in 1967 when he came here with the West Indies team for a private tour. Before the game of cricket, it was the general issues that he was interested in. "I am very happy indeed that your people have shown mature understanding on the rice-cut issue." he told a gathering. Earlier, he was in Sri Lanka in December 1965 as a member of MRA.

Died in Australia

Conrad Hunte, born in Barbados on May 9th 1932 died of cardiac arrest in Australia when he was there to address an international conference on social issues. He was a known cricketer and began his first class career in 1950 with Barbados. He played 44 Tests, scoring 3,245 runs with an average of 45.06. He hit 8 centuries.

Sir Everton Weekes, the great West Indian cricketer, said: "I was so shocked to hear of his death. The last time that I saw him alive he looked so healthy and vibrant.

This is a man who gave so much, and a man who in my opinion had so much to give." Weekes said further.

Hunte, who was knighted by the Barbados Government for contribution to cricket, died about a month after the death of another outstanding Barbados player - Malcolm Marshall.

Hunte was an instant success when he played his first Test series against Pakistan in 1957-58, amassing 622 runs at an average of 77.75 that included 142 in his first Test at Bridgetown, 260 in the third Test at Kingston his highest in Tests, adding 446 runs for the second wicket with Gary Sobers who made his record Test score of 365 not out, and 114 in the fourth Test at Georgetown.