By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Allan Rae (right), Everton Weeks (centre) and Courtney Walsh before the start of the Rae's 80th testimonial dinner banquet at Hilton Hotel on Monday night. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
FOR almost every boy who played the game of cricket, the dream is to represent his school, then his club, then his country, and for a West Indian, the dream is to represent the West Indies. Only a few, however, go all the way, and one who went all the way was Allan Fitzroy Rae.
THAT WAS part of the Jamaica Cricket Association's (JCA) citation delivered by Simon Crosskill, Sport Editor of the RJR Group, at Allan Rae's belated 80th birthday testimonial dinner hosted by the JCA at the Hilton Hotel on Monday night.
The citation was preceded by the main address delivered by Dr. Edward Baugh, poet, writer and professor emeritus at the University of the West Indies.
Dr. Baugh's speech was punctuated by anecdotes and jokes which he unleashed throughout to a receptive audience.
"Although he is not able to play that long innings at the crease again, I am glad he is able to do it in characters and in life," the professor said of Rae, the former Test opener.
The night was all about the former Wolmer's, Kingston Cricket Club, Jamaica and West Indies player who spent a long time at the wicket in giving his speech.
On finishing his speech, the audience started to sing "he's a jolly good fellow", as he returned to his seat.
Rae CD, OJ, who also served as president of the Jamaica and West Indies cricket boards, talked mostly about his playing days with the 'Three Ws' (Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Everton Weekes and Sir Clyde Walcott) in the early 1950s.
The left-handed Rae played 15 Test matches for the West Indies between 1948 and 1953. He made his Test debut against India in 1948-49 and ended it against the same team in 1952-53. He finished with a Test average of 46.18, scored four centuries with a top score of 109 and four half centuries on his way to 1,016 runs from 24 innings.
The JCA citation also stated: "As a player, Allan served Jamaica and West Indies cricket with distinction - and there can be no question about that. The world of cricket will particularly remember him for his role, his wise counsel, during the fight against apartheid in South Africa.
"Today, Allan Fitzroy Rae, 'The Baron', celebrates his 80th birthday and, from the Jamaica Cricket Association and on behalf of the Jamaica cricket fraternity, well played, well led and happy birthday".
In giving his vote of thanks, chairman of the organising committee, Tony Becca praised the sponsors, Air Jamaica, Capital & Credit Merchant Bank, CVM, The Hilton, J. Wray & Nephew, the Jamaica Observer and Radio 2.
A top line-up of guests included the Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke, Sir Everton Weekes, former Australia Test captain and coach Bobby Simpson, Courtney Walsh, Herb McKenley, Molly Rhone, Mike Fennell, State Minister in Ministry of National Security, Delano Franklyn, Churchill Neita, Esmond Kentish, former CEO of the WICB Stephen Camacho, WICB director of coaching Reggie Scarlett, Pat Anderson, Jerry Alexander and Jackie Hendricks.
