Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Clyde Walcott (right) and Collie Smith participate in the West Indies in the first Test match against Australia at Sabina Park in 1959. Walcott scored a century in the first innings and Smith a century in the second, in a match the West Indies lost by nine wickets. - File

The death recently of Sir Clyde Walcott closed yet another chapter in the Golden Age of West Indian cricket. While the Barbadian will go down in Caribbean lore as one of the immortal Three Ws, fate robbed one of his contemporaries of similar acclaim.

Those in the know say O'Neil Gordon 'Collie' Smith, who died in a British hospital on September 9, 1959 from injuries sustained in a car accident, was on his way to greatness.

Smith, 26 at the time, was on tour of the United Kingdom with the West Indies team. The respected Wisden magazine said the regional team had lost a versatile member.

"His death came as a heavy blow to the West Indies, for much had been hoped from him against Peter May's MCC team," read an article in the publication, regarded as the bible of cricket.

Legend in Jamaica

Despite his youth, Smith was a legend in Jamaica, scoring heavily in schoolboy cricket for Kingston College and for Boys' Town in the Senior Cup.

He never made his debut for Jamaica until 1955. He scored a swashbuckling 169 against the touring Australians, sharing a record sixth wicket partnership of 277 runs with wicketkeeper Allie Binns.

That knock pushed him into the West Indies team for the first Test against the Aussies at Sabina Park, in which he scored 104 in the second innings batting at number three against fast bowlers Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller.

Two years later, on the tour of England, he scored two centuries against the hosts. The first (161) came in the opening Test at Edgbaston and the second (168) in the third Test at Trent Bridge.

Smith's batting record in 26 Tests reads 1,331 runs at an average of 31.69. This powerful hitter of long sixes was also a useful offspin bowler, picking up 48 wickets (average 33.85).

At the time of his death, Wisden said Smith was maturing.

"He learned to curb his natural desire to hit at practically every ball, though he never lost his punishing powers," it said.

Collie Smith trivia

Was also known as the 'Mighty Mouse'.

Is the older brother of former Boys' Town and Jamaica all-rounder, Linden 'Muddy' Wright.

Gary Sobers was injured in the car crash that killed Collie Smith.

Collie Smith Drive in the constituency of South St. Andrew is named after him.

Played for Burnley in the British Lancashire League.