Frank Worrell debut 1947-48 vs England, dies in Jamaica

FLASHBACK: Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell (Born 1 August 1924, Bank Hall, St Michael, Barbados - died 13 March 1967, Kingston, Jamaica), sometimes referred to by his nickname of Tae, was a West Indies cricketer and Jamaican senator. A stylish right-handed batsman and useful left-arm seam bowler, he became famous in the 1950s as the first black captain of the West Indies cricket team. He was the first of the two batsmen to have been involved in two 500-run partnerships in first-class cricket.

As a player for West Indies, Worrell made his debut in 1947-48 versus the England team of Gubby Allen. Following this series he took up residence in Lancashire, England to play for Radcliffe in the Central Lancashire League and to read economics at Manchester University. He made his highest Test score of 261 against England at Trent Bridge in 1950, and was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 1951.

Worrell became the first black cricketer to captain the West Indies cricket team for an entire series, thus breaking the colour barriers then found in West Indian cricket. He led the side on two particularly notable tours. The first was to Australia in 1960-61. Both Worrell and his opposing captain, Richie Benaud, encouraged their teams to play attacking cricket.

Contractor-head injury

On 3 February 1962, Nari Contractor, the captain of the touring Indian team, received a career-ending head injury from a bouncer bowled by West Indies fast bowler Charlie Griffith.

Worrell was the first player from both sides to donate blood to the injured Contractor, which saved his life. In 1963, West Indies toured England. They were again popular, and this time they also won the series, 3-1.

Worrell retired after the West Indies-England series. When he left professional cricket, he became Warden of Irvine Hall at the University of the West Indies, and was appointed to the Jamaican Senate by Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Worrell managed the West Indies during the 1964-65 visit by Australia, and accompanied the team to India in the winter of 1966-67. It was while in India that he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

He died at the age of 42, a month after returning to Jamaica. A memorial service was held in his honour in Westminster Abbey, the first time such an honour was granted to a sportsman. Since the 1960-61 series, the Frank Worrell Trophy has been awarded to the winner of the Test series between Australia and West Indies.

ACdeS