Gilchrist story distorted

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Professor Hilary Beckles gets a failing grade when he distorts a historical event in West Indies cricket.

He asserts that controversial fast bowler Roy Gilchrist was unfairly terminated from Test selection following his being sent home from the 1958-59 India tour. This, after deliberately bowling beamers at a batsman’s head after his captain Gerry Alexander – not for the first time on the tour – told him not to. Now Beckles absurdly calls for Cricket West Indies to issue a posthumous apology to Gilchrist

Gilchrist’s fate had nothing to do with classism, racism or any other ism.

Here’s what Gilchrist himself says in his book Hit Me For Six (page 60):

“ History will tell you that I was sent home by West Indian skipper Gerry Alexander. I will tell you the two reasons why. 1. I lost my temper. 2. I broke the ‘rules’ when I bowled beamers. I take the blame; it was my fault and I am sorry now ..... and I guess now he was right .... And I suppose now on reflection, that it served me right.”

Gilchrist then let it be known (page 79) In Chapter 9 ‘In With a Chance’ that even after his many indiscretions in India and elsewhere (he was subsequently suspended from his League club and banned by the North Staffordshire League for more bad behaviour):

“ ... after what seemed an age I suddenly got the sort of news that makes a man hope again. It was a letter and it was from Mr. Kenneth Wishart, secretary of the West Indies Board of Control. In 1962 the West Indies were playing my old enemies the Indians ... And Mr. Wishart’s letter mentioned that I was on the list for consideration when it came to picking the Test side. Would I stand by, sail to British Guiana and let the selectors have a look at me.”

He then states that he received a second letter asking him to be sure to have a clause written into his contract so that he could make himself available for the 1963 tour of England – if selected.

Gilchrist was then picked to play for Jamaica against Barbados at Bourda in 1961 in what served as trials to pick the team against the visiting Indians.

It was there, at Bourda, that Gilchrist’s international career ended. Opening batsmen Conrad Hunte (263) and Cammie Smith (127) smashed his deliveries to all parts of the ground in a total of 664. His first five overs went for 55 runs and he returned figures of 40-5-177-2. Understandably, the selectors looked elsewhere – Chester Watson, Charlie Stayers, Lester King – to partner Wes Hall.

That’s what happened.

ERROL TOWNSHEND

Ontario, Canada