Former West Indies spinner Sonny Ramadhin passes away at 92
Legendary West Indies spinner, Sonny Ramadhin, has passed away at age of 92. He represented WI in 43 Tests between 1950 and 1961, taking a total of 158 wickets at 28.98. Ramadhin was a part of WI's first-ever Test win in England in 1950. He finished with 26 wickets as the Caribbeans won the series 3-1. Here are further details.
One of the great pioneers of WI cricket: Rick Skerritt
"On behalf of CWI I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Sonny Ramadhin, one of the great pioneers of West Indies cricket," CWI President Ricky Skerritt said on Sunday. "Mr Ramadhin made an impact from the moment he first stepped onto the field of World Cricket. Many stories are told of his tremendous feats on the 1950 tour."
A look at Ramadhin's career
Former right-arm off-spinner, Ramadhin, picked 158 wickets from 43 Tests at an average of 28.98. He had best innings figures of 7/49 and best match haul of 11/152. Ramadhin registered a career economy rate of 1.97 in Test cricket. He recorded 10 five-wicket hauls and one haul of 10 wickets. Ramadhin also scalped 758 wickets in First-class cricket at 20.24.
Ramadhin shone at Lord's in 1950
Ramadhin was a part of West Indies' iconic tour of England in 1950. It was his debut series in international cricket. On his Test debut (1st Test, Manchester), Ramadhin took two wickets each in both innings. He played a key role in West Indies' first Test win in England (2nd Test, Lord's). Ramadhin registered a haul of 11/152 in that match.
Ramadhin finished with 26 wickets
West Indies claimed mammoth wins in the third and fourth Tests to win the Test series in England 3-1. Ramadhin, along with his spin partner Alf Valentine, went on to lead the wickets column in that series. The former finished as the second-highest wicket-taker (26), while Valentine took 33. Interestingly, England's Alec Bedser had the third-most wickets (11).
Skerritt highlights the iconic tour
Highlighting the remarkable tour, Skerritt siad, "This iconic tour is part of our rich cricket legacy, which was pioneered by Mr. Ramadhin and others of his generation. His English exploit was celebrated in a famous calypso - and is still remembered more than 70 years later. Today we salute Sonny Ramadhin for his outstanding contribution to West Indies cricket."
