Some Bajan Cricket Legends You Should Know

By on May 17, 2024 0 60 Views

Barbados is known for many things, from rum to Rihanna! We are also known for cricket and in turn, cricketers.

Below are some famous Barbadian cricketers, each with their own quirks and skillsets!

Ian Bradshaw

Ian Bradshaw, though not young, carries himself with maturity, having led the Barbados team since 2000 and previously captained the West Indies Under-19 squad. He brings a disciplined and composed approach to cricket, reminiscent of Jimmy Adams. As a left-arm bowler, Bradshaw provides stability to the West Indian team, even when not taking many wickets. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the thrilling victory in the final of the 2004 Champions Trophy. Bradshaw’s consistent performance continued in subsequent seasons, with impressive bowling averages despite facing tough opponents like Australia and South Africa.

 

David Allen

Born on November 5th in the parish of Christ Church, wicket-keeper David Allen was born.

He was wicket-keeper in all five Tests. Allan played first-class cricket for Barbados from 1955-1956 to 1965-1966, and toured England with the West Indies teams in 1963 and 1966. He played two Tests against India in 1961-1962, one against Australia in 1964-1965, and two against England in 1966.

He won four Scottish Cup medals with the club in 1881, 1884, 1886 and 1890 and played in the club’s FA Cup finals of 1884 and 1885.

 

Courtney Browne

Courtney Browne, originally from London, returned to Barbados as a child and pursued a career in cricket. While he initially captained the Barbados team, he gained recognition for his wicketkeeping skills and joined the West Indies side in 1995. Despite intermittent appearances and some notable performances, Browne struggled to secure a permanent place in the team. He made sporadic comebacks, including a notable return for the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, where he played a crucial role in the team’s victory over England. However, Browne retired from international cricket in 2005 due to personal reasons. In 2008, he transitioned to a role in the national selection panel by Clyde Butts.

Sherwin Campbell

A dynamic opening batsman, he evoked a mix of admiration and frustration throughout his career. Known for bruising bowling attacks when in form, Campbell’s batting could appear unconvincing when out of touch, yet his talent was undeniable. He gained recognition with consistent performances in the Red Stripe Cup in 1993-94, earning him a spot on West Indies’ tour to India. Despite a lackluster ODI debut, Campbell showcased his ability after being promoted to the top of the order in subsequent matches. His Test debut saw him demonstrate concentration and brisk scoring, providing solidity to the team’s batting. However, inconsistencies plagued his career, leading to his eventual retirement after featuring in 52 Tests and 90 ODIs. Campbell’s aggressive batting style became predictable to opponents, and his career reflected the struggle between talent and temperament. Notably, he excelled against New Zealand, achieving his top Test scores against them. In domestic cricket, Campbell amassed over 10,000 runs with 26 centuries and 55 fifties. Following his retirement, he transitioned to coaching, guiding the West Indies Women’s team to notable successes in international tournaments, including reaching the World Cup final and the T20 World Cup semi-finals.

 

Wayne Daniel

Wayne Wendell Daniel, a talented fast bowler from Barbados, showcased his cricketing prowess from a young age, impressing in both the Barbados youth setup and for the West Indies Young Cricketers. His skill and athleticism led to a successful stint with Middlesex’s Second Eleven, where he made a significant impact before even making his First-Class debut. Daniel’s remarkable talent earned him a rapid ascent to international cricket, making his debut for the West Indies just four months after his First-Class debut. However, his international career was interrupted by his involvement in Kerry Packer’s World Series, limiting his opportunities. Nevertheless, Daniel found success in county cricket, particularly with Middlesex, where he became known as ‘the Diamond’. Over his twelve-year career with Middlesex, Daniel achieved remarkable feats, including taking 685 first-class wickets and playing a key role in winning multiple County Championship and one-day titles. His remarkable performances cemented his place in Middlesex’s history books, making him one of the most successful bowlers in the club’s history.

 

Vasbert Drakes

Vasbert Drakes, a formidable fast bowler from Barbados, made his international debut in 1994/95, impressing with his bowling skills in his first ODI against Australia. Despite showing promise, he was not consistently included in the team, despite his ability as a handy lower-order batsman. He made a comeback in September 2002 for the Champions Trophy, performing well despite the team’s overall struggles. Drakes briefly strengthened the Test bowling lineup, achieving a career-best of 5/93 against Australia in 2003. However, his most memorable moment came with the bat when his unbeaten 27 helped West Indies achieve the highest successful run-chase in Test history. He retired after the 2003 World Cup with 33 Test wickets and 51 ODI wickets to his name. Drakes also had successful stints with various teams outside the Caribbean, showcasing his talent globally. Notably, he holds the unique distinction of being one of only four batsmen to be timed out in First-Class cricket.

 

Alvin Greenidge

A tall opening batsman from Barbados, he rose to prominence in 1977-78 with impressive performances, earning him a spot in the West Indies side against Australia amidst player defections to World Series Cricket. He made a notable debut, scoring half-centuries in the third and fourth Tests against Australia. Despite being selected for the tour of India in 1978-79, he struggled for form and was dropped when the Packer rebels returned. He briefly returned to international cricket in 1980 but never regained his earlier form. Greenidge continued to excel for Barbados but never earned another international call-up. His career ended when he toured South Africa with a rebel West Indies side in 1982-83. After retiring, he became a junior coach in Barbados.

 

Geoff Greenidge 

Greenidge burst onto the cricket scene with a remarkable debut for Barbados, scoring 205 runs and taking 7 wickets with his legspin against the Leeward Islands in 1966-67. His impressive performances earned him a Test debut for West Indies against New Zealand in 1971-72, where he showcased his batting prowess with half-centuries in both innings. Despite initial success, he struggled against Australia and was dropped from the team. Greenidge continued to excel for Barbados and had a mixed stint with Sussex between 1968 and 1975. However, controversy arose in 1976 when the Guyanese government canceled a match between Barbados and Guyana due to Greenidge’s visit to Rhodesia with an international side the previous winter. This led to a dispute, with Barbados refusing to back down and returning home.