****** THANKS TO EVERYONE ******

To everyone who attended this year’s (2008) Induction Ceremony, the Cricket Hall of Fame’ sincerely thanks you for your support. Your presence made the event a success.

We look forward to seeing you again next year and hope that you will continue to support us in our efforts to honor our cricket heroes and with our desire to help with the growth and development of this great sport in the U.S.

Feel free to send us your suggestions and advice on how you believe that we can improve the program and raise the necessary funds that we need to carry on and to make the event successful.

Once again thanks for your support,

Michael Chambers
Director

2008 INDUCTEES, from left, Mohamed Baksh, Jefferson Miller, Mascelles Bailey, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.

Greenidge, Haynes cricket’s greatest ever opening pair

     Former West Indies’ batting stars Gordon Greenidge MBE and Desmond Haynes were hailed as the greatest ever opening pair in the history of the sport of cricket at this year’s Cricket Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Ceremony, held at the Marriott Hotel, downtown Hartford, Connecticut, Saturday, September 20.

     The duo was among the latest group of individuals which included Jefferson Miller of Florida, Mascelles Bailey and Mohamed Baksh of New York, to be inducted into the prestigious institution. Miller, Bailey and Baksh were honored for their contributions to the sport in the U.S.

     Two others, the Rev. Canon Wilborne Austin, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Bloomfield and Harland Henry, Manager of the Small and Minority Business Services Unit in the Office of the Secretary of State, received Presidential awards for their contributions to the Hall of Fame and the community. Henry was also presented with a proclamation by Leslie Mara, Deputy Secretary of state.

     “When I look at Haynes and Greenidge, I recognize genius, talent and greatness,” Master of Ceremonies Rudolph Cohen, another former West Indies player, said as he addressed the gathering. “Their careers were intertwined, they developed together, grew up together so the Cricket Hall of Fame made a wise decision to induct them together.”

     Haynes and Greenidge, both native Barbadians, who formed a formidable opening partnership in Test cricket, were acclaimed as integral to the success of the West Indies team in the 1980s which became world champions, a position which the team held for a number of years.

     The very exciting and impressive ceremony which attracted about 300 patrons, featured dance performances by a young Barbadian group and video presentations which highlighted the historic Olympic 100 meters finals won by the flamboyant Usain Bolt of Jamaica and Greenidge, Haynes and other former cricket stars in action during their illustrious careers.

     Mayor Eddie Perez presented all the inductees with proclamations which acknowledged their accomplishments in the sport and which declared Saturday, September 20 as “Cricket Hall of Fame Day” in the city of Hartford. He congratulated the Hall of Fame and wished them success in their future programs.

     On Friday, September 20, the inductees were officially welcomed to the city at a luncheon reception held at City Hall. Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson, who hosted the reception, wished them well and encouraged them to take in as many sights of the city before their departure. She then presented each of them with a pictorial book on Hartford.

     In their response after their induction, almost all of the inductees made strong appeals to the Board of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) to do everything in their power to move the game, the second most popular sport in the world, to a higher level in this country.

     Haynes, who attributed his success in life to his grandmother, called on members of the USACA to get rid of petty jealousies and work together for the sake of the sport, recommending that they should seek help from the West Indies Cricket Board to get the game on the right track in this country.

     “A lot of people instructed me in my development,” he said, “but once I got into the team I wanted to make my association with Greenidge a long partnership and the only way to make it happen was compensate Greenidge, who had already been established as a competent opener. I learned a lot from him (Greenidge) during our times at the crease,” he said.

     Greenidge, who migrated to England at an early age, enlightened the audience on some of the trials and difficulties he encountered while growing up in that country, explaining how he eventually triumphed to become a top class cricketer.

     “Growing up in England changed me completely,” he said. “I encountered people who tried in every way to make life difficult for me. Cricket was not high on the agenda at the school that I attended, tennis took the forefront. You did not see much black people playing tennis. I tried playing soccer but since cricket was my first love I decided to pursue the sport by joining a nearby club. Cricket made me what I am today,” he asserted.

     Greenidge closed his remarks by making a strong appeal to the officers of USACA to work towards the establishment of a development program for youths.

     Miller, one of the visionaries who was instrumental in the establishment of a $70 million sports complex in Lauderhill, Florida, which includes a first class cricket field, also made a strong plea to the USACA, the caretakers of the sport in the U.S., to work together to bring improvements to the sport.

     “We have worked hard to get the stadium,” Miller pleaded, “so please do not let it go to waste. Bring international cricket to Florida and other sites in the country. We need to do better. We need to get the youths involved and try to develop an approach like in soccer and have cricket moms to help spread the word,” he said.

USACA urged to get their act together in interest of cricket

     One of the greatest batsmen ever to play for the West Indies, Desmond Haynes of Barbados, shortly after his induction into the Cricket Hall of Fame at its annual ceremony held in Hartford, Connecticut, Saturday, September 20, made a “serious plea” to the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) to get their act together in the interest of cricket.

     Haynes, who formed a formidable opening partnership with fellow Barbadian Gordon Greenidge in Test cricket, which became integral to the success of the West Indies team in the 1980s, said: that you (USACA) have got to come together with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to get cricket in the U.S. on the right track.

     “We in the Caribbean must have close association with U.S. cricket. You cannot ignore the fact that cricket is now big business. You have got to come together with the West Indies Board to get cricket on the right track. Through its membership with the International Cricket Conference (ICC), the WICB is responsible for all the cricket playing countries in the Americas. You must get your act together in the best interest of the sport,” he challenged.

     Attributing his success and the fact that he was being honored at the function to his upbringing, in particular his grandmother, Haynes said that as a young man growing up in Barbados, he had always wanted to play for the West Indies. “When I finally made the team, I was privileged to meet Mr. Greenidge. We gelled very well right away. Although we had different personalities, I wanted to make the partnership a very long one and decided that the only way to do so means that I would have to compensate Mr. Greenidge. If we are doing well and making life easier for the other batsmen then it means that we are doing a good job,” he concluded. “The records and the success we achieved over the years have attested that that decision was a very good one,” he said.

     He, however, lamented that he still found it very strange to see a Cricket Hall of Fame in America. “I played the game at the top level for 16 years and I am yet to see one (Cricket Hall of Fame) in Barbados or for that matter the Caribbean.”

Miller urges USACA to make use of Florida stadium

     Jefferson Miller, president of Lauderhill International Cricket Club, in Lauderhill, Florida, made a strong plea to the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) to make use of the recently constructed cricket stadium in that city.

     Miller, one of this year’s inductee into the Cricket Hall of Fame at ceremonies held in Hartford, Connecticut, Saturday, September 20, made the plea during his acceptance speech.

     “We are proud to have the first cricket stadium in the country,” he said. “We have fought hard and long to see this stadium become a reality, please do not let our hard work go to waste. I am making this plea to you the caretakers of the sport in the country to please work together, leave your differences behind and bring international cricket to Lauderhill. We want to see Test players in this country,” he challenged.

 Jefferson Miller poses with his mother after his induction

 “We have an estimated 750 clubs and 35 leagues in the country which means that we have about 35,000 to 50,000 active players. We need to do better. Get the game on the school curriculum. Get the kids involved. Get the parents involved like in soccer. We want to see cricket moms and cricket dads just like in soccer,” he charged.

Cricket Hall of Fame praised for maintaining high standards

     Well known New York’s cricket administrator, Mascelles Bailey, praised the Cricket Hall of Fame for its dedication and for maintaining high standards. “This is what can happen when we work together,” he said, following his induction into the 27-year-old institution, Saturday, September 20 at ceremonies held at the Marriott Hotel, Hartford, Connecticut.

     Bailey, a Financial Consultant and former president of the legendary Metropolitan Cricket League in New York, said that most of his spare time was dedicated to cricket and that he had decided to give whatever service he can to the sport in New York.              

       Roy Sweeney, right, introduces Mascelles Bailey at ceremony.

     “Our hearts are in the right place. The power of cricket unites us. We are all united in our cause towards cricket in the U.S.,” he said, while paying tribute to a number of individuals which included Roy Sweeney, Clifford Hinds, Hugh Pitter, John Aaron, Lloyd Scott and Lee Ramsay, whom he said played outstanding roles in the promotion of the sport in New York “

     He singled out Sweeney, as a tireless advocate for the sport at all levels whose dedication to cricket in the U.S. is unmatched. “He is a man who thinks big, one who is dedicated and visionary,” Bailey said. As president of the United States Cricket Promoters Association, Sweeney was responsible for bringing the full West Indies’ team to New York to play on more than one occasion. He was resolute in keeping the game of cricket alive in North America, pouring 40 years of experience in all aspects of the game into an organization which he designed to make a lasting impact on the sport with the simple objective to foster and promote cricket at its highest level in the U.S.

     Bailey also praised Hinds, a former officer of the USACA, for his outstanding work with the development of youth cricket in the U.S.

     “I live by a simple maxim to serve,” he said. “Each day I seize on every chance I get to serve. He who serves best is he who serves the most,” he said, declaring that no other sport engenders such great passion and following as that of cricket.

     “Keeping the game alive in New York is not an easy task,” he said, and paid tribute to the many women who help out each weekend at the parks. However, in my mind, he said that the individuals who show up first at the park for a game, who are also the last ones to leave, who will spend their own money, time and energy so that others can enjoy themselves to my mind are the true heroes of the game in the U.S.

Greenidge: Differences in our character made us successful

     Greenidge: Differences in our character made us successful Giving a brief history of his journey into first class cricket, former West Indies opening batsman Gordon Greenidge, who was born in Barbados but grew up in England, said that it was the difference in character between himself and his fellow Barbadian partner Desmond Haynes that made them so successful.

     “While I was inclined to be more reserved and quiet Haynes on the other hand was very talkative. Whenever you are trying to concentrate in the dressing room, he just kept on talking. It was very hard to concentrate, but when we got to the wicket he was a different person. I later learned that this was his way to get rid of the butterflies,” Greenidge said. “His approach, however, made it easier for us when we were on the field,” he added.

     One half of the West Indies’ prolific opening partnership during the 1980s, Greenidge made the remarks shortly after he was inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame, at the organization’s 27th annual induction ceremony held in Hartford, Connecticut, Saturday, September 20.

     Greenidge, who migrated at the age of 14, said that on his arrival in England, the weather was cold and miserable. “After leaving the warmth of Barbados, I did not like it at all. The school I went to was not far from home but going from school to home at times could be very trying and traumatic especially so for a youngster who was new to the environment. There were also times when people would gather to make life difficult for me,” he said.

     Stating that the world we live in today is becoming more complicated, he said that we must take note of what’s happening around us. “We have to accept challenges as they come and try to deal with them as best we could. Growing up in the UK made me a better person. “Cricket was not high on the agenda at the school that I attended,” he said. “They played soccer but tennis was the focus. Let’s face it, during those times you did not see any black person playing tennis. I played a little soccer but cricket was my first love and that is what I wanted to play. I loved the sport and used to watch my uncle play but following my first contact with the game I had no inclination that I would play the game at such a high level.”

     He said that from school he went straight into the game joining a club at the age of 18 of which he is proud to say that he stayed with for 19 years. “I encountered similar trials and traumas as I did in school while pursuing my club career but I persisted and stayed on. Establishing one self in a sport and the world is not an easy task” he lamented. Greenidge said that his career took off in the late 1970s and it blossomed even more when he met up with Haynes. As the records showed the pair played a major role in the elevation of the West Indies team to becoming world champions during the 1980s.

     Reaching out to the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA), Greenidge said that the International Cricket Conference (ICC), is trying to expand the sport throughout the world and that the West Indies Cricket Board is in charge of the Americas which includes the U.S. “We have a job to see young cricketers reach their goal and I am quite sure that the West Indies Board will be more than willing to assist you in your development.”

      He concluded his speech by declaring that the Cricket Hall of Fame is unique, and offered a few suggestions as to how they can improve and grow the organization. These recommendations, he said, if carried out, will help the organization maintain its international recognition. Giving a brief history of his journey into first class cricket, former West Indies opening batsman Gordon Greenidge, who was born in Barbados but grew up in England, said that it was the difference in character between himself and his fellow Barbadian partner Desmond Haynes that made them so successful.

“While I was inclined to be more reserved and quiet Haynes on the other hand was very talkative. Whenever you are trying to concentrate in the dressing room, he just kept on talking. It was very hard to concentrate, but when we got to the wicket he was a different person. I later learned that this was his way to get rid of the butterflies,” Greenidge said. “His approach, however, made it easier for us when we were on the field,” he added.

     One half of the West Indies’ prolific opening partnership during the 1980s, Greenidge made the remarks shortly after he was inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame, at the organization’s 27th annual induction ceremony held in Hartford, Connecticut, Saturday, September 20.

     Greenidge, who migrated at the age of 14, said that on his arrival in England, the weather was cold and miserable. “After leaving the warmth of Barbados, I did not like it at all. The school I went to was not far from home but going from school to home at times could be very trying and traumatic especially so for a youngster who was new to the environment. There were also times when people would gather to make life difficult for me,” he said.

     Stating that the world we live in today is becoming more complicated, he said that we must take note of what’s happening around us. “We have to accept challenges as they come and try to deal with them as best we could. Growing up in the UK made me a better person.

     “Cricket was not high on the agenda at the school that I attended,” he said. “They played soccer but tennis was the focus. Let’s face it, during those times you did not see any black person playing tennis. I played a little soccer but cricket was my first love and that is what I wanted to play. I loved the sport and used to watch my uncle play but following my first contact with the game I had no inclination that I would play the game at such a high level.”

     He said that from school he went straight into the game joining a club at the age of 18 of which he is proud to say that he stayed with for 19 years. “I encountered similar trials and traumas as I did in school while pursuing my club career but I persisted and stayed on. Establishing one self in a sport and the world is not an easy task” he lamented.

     Greenidge said that his career took off in the late 1970s and it blossomed even more when he met up with Haynes. As the records showed the pair played a major role in the elevation of the West Indies team to becoming world champions during the 1980s.

     Reaching out to the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA), Greenidge said that the International Cricket Conference (ICC), is trying to expand the sport throughout the world and that the West Indies Cricket Board is in charge of the Americas which includes the U.S. “We have a job to see young cricketers reach their goal and I am quite sure that the West Indies Board will be more than willing to assist you in your development.”

     He concluded his speech by declaring that the Cricket Hall of Fame is unique, and offered a few suggestions as to how they can improve and grow the organization. These recommendations, he said, if carried out, will help the organization maintain its international recognition.