Large Barbadian contingent expected at Cricket Hall of Fame induction

     With former star West Indies opening pair Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes of Barbados topping the list of inductees at this year’s Cricket Hall of Fame ceremonies, the organizers are anticipating a large contingent of Barbadian cricket fans to be present.

     At the annual ceremonies which is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, the pair which was integral to the West Indies success during the 1980s will be joined by three other cricket administrators Jefferson Miller of Florida and Mascelles Bailey and Mohamed Baksh of New York.

     The Rev. Canon Wilborne Austin, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Bloomfield, Connecticut, and Harland Henry, Director of Community Outreach at the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Office, will receive presidential awards for services to the community.

     Greenidge, one half of the West Indies’ prolific opening partnership with Haynes, began his career in 1974 against India and continued to play international cricket until 1991. A feared opening batsman, he played in 108 Test matches in which he scored 7,558 runs with 19 centuries.

Haynes was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1991. One of the greatest batsmen to ever play for the West Indies, the muscular Haynes formed a formidable partnership with Greenidge during the 1980s. Favoring a more measured approach to batting, unlike his counterpart Greenidge, Haynes compiled a redoubtable 7,487 runs in 116 Test matches at an average of 42.29.

     Miller, who began his cricket career as a youngster in his native Barbados, has established himself in the U.S. both as a player and an administrator. A fast bowler, he represented the U.S. in a number of international games, and has served as chairman of the Northeastern Cricket Association in New York and as a member of the executive committee of the South Florida Cricket Association, the USA National Selection Committee and the City of Lauderhill, Florida, Organizing Committee for the Mayor’s Cup. He is one of the persons responsible for the building of the Central Broward Regional Park Cricket Stadium.

     Bailey, originally from Jamaica, was a co-founder of The Bankers Athletic Cricket League in New York. He also co-founded Lucas Sports Club with some well-known cricketers. In addition to playing in the Metropolitan League, the oldest and one of the largest leagues in the U.S., Bailey has served that organization in various capacities.

     Baksh, a native of Guyana, was involved with sports at various levels, from an early age, serving on a number of community organizations and regional cricket boards. He started officiating at matches at the age of 24 and has continued to do so ever since. Baksh has under his belt, more than a quarter century of officiating in Shell Shield and Red Stripe competitions in the West Indies. For a number of years, he was a member of the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Training Examination Committee.

Greenidge, Haynes to be inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame

     Former star West Indies opening pair Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes have accepted their nominations to be inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame. This year’s ceremony is set for Saturday, September 20 at the Marriott Hotel, downtown Hartford. The other nominees are Florida cricket administrator Jeff Miller, co-founder of Lucas Sports Club in New York Mascelles Bailey and Mohamed Baksh, a member of the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Training and Examination Committee.

     The Rev. Canon Wilborne Austin, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Bloomfield, Connecticut, will receive a presidential award for his services to the community.

     Greenidge, a Barbadian, one half of the West Indies’ prolific opening partnership with Haynes, began his career in 1974 against India and continued to play international cricket until 1991. A feared opening batsman, he played in 108 Test matches in which he scored 7,558 runs with 19 centuries. He is perhaps best known for his amazing double-double century performance against England in 1984

     Haynes, also a Barbadian, was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1991. One of the greatest batsman to ever play for the West Indies, the muscular Haynes formed a formidable partnership with Greenidge which was integral to the success of the West Indies team in the 980s. Favoring a more measured approach to batting, unlike his counterpart Greenidge, Haynes compiled a redoubtable 7,487 runs in 116 Test matches at an average of 42.29. His highest Test innings came against England in 1984 with 184 off 395 balls.

     Miller, who began his cricket career as a youngster in his native Barbados, has established himself in the U.S. both as a player and an administrator. A fast bowler, he represented the U.S. in a number of international games, and has also served as chairman of the Northeastern Cricket Association while residing in New York. He moved to South Florida in 1986 and in 1990 was elected to the executive committee of the South Florida Cricket Assocation. In 2000 and 2001, he was appointed a member of the USA National Selection Committee. Currently he is a member of the City of Lauderhill Florida Organizing Committee for the Mayor’s Cup and is one of the persons responsible for the building of the Central Broward Regional Park Cricket Stadium.

     Bailey, originally from Jamaica, was a co-founder of The Bankers Athletic Cricket League in New York in 1971. A useful off-break and middle order batsman, Bailey also co-founded Lucas Sports Club with some well-known cricketers. The club reportedly is one of the only cricket clubs in New York that has its own club house. In addition to playing in the Metropolitan League, the oldest and one of the largest leagues in the U.S., Bailey has served that organization in various capacities.

     Baksh, a native of Guyana, from an early age, was involved with sports at various levels, serving on a number of community organizations and regional cricket boards. Having an abiding interest in cricket umpiring, he started officiating at matches at the age of 24 and has continued to do so ever since. Baksh has under his belt, more than a quarter century of officiating in Shell Shield and Red Stripe competitions in the West Indies. For a number of years, he was a member of the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Training Examination Committee.

     Canon Austin, another Barbadian, held several positions in Hartford, Connecticut prior to answering the call to the ordained ministry. Always a devout Anglican, his goal was always to become a priest in the faith. Since his ordination he has served faithfully as Priest at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church and Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. One of his responsibilities was the pastoral care of the parishioners. He paid visits to active, inactive and home-bound members. He ministers to individuals and conducted services to groups in various locations in the community earning the reputation for carrying out these duties faithfully with compassion and caring. “If I can help somebody as I travel on, then my living shall not be in vain,” is the motto that Canon Austin lives by.

     Patrons to this year’s induction ceremony can expect it to be just as entertaining and enlightening as previous ones.

Jamaica’s Consul General visits Cricket Hall of Fame

Consul General Brown Metzger is presented with a souvenir bat by Hall of Fame’s president Denton McCalla.

Director of Cricket Hall of Fame Michael Chambers, left, greets Jamaica’s Consul General to New York, Geneive Brown Metzger, who stopped off at the institution while on a recent visit to Hartford. Looking on is Hartford’s Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson.

 Jamaica’s Consul General visits Cricket Hall of Fame

     The newly appointed Jamaican Consul General Geneive Brown Metzger made a brief stop at the Cricket Hall of Fame during a recent visit to Hartford. The visit to Hartford was her first official function since being appointed to the post. While touring the facility, she expressed surprise to find such a “jewel” in the U.S. The Consul General, who grew up in the U.S., admitted that she did not have much knowledge of the game. However, she said that she was very happy and proud to see the pictures of so many of our West Indian cricket heroes on display at the institution.

     Stating that she is not a career diplomat, her areas of expertise are in marketing and public relations, Consul General Brown Metzger said that she plans to get out of the office and spend as much time as she can in the community meeting with the people she represents.

     The Consul General who arrived in Hartford on Saturday, April 5, spoke briefly at the West Indian Social Club’s 58th Anniversary Celebrations, where she was a guest. She began her visit earlier in the evening by meeting a number of local residents at a cocktail reception held in the club’s lounge.

     On the Sunday following, she read the lesson at a Thanksgiving Service held in her honor at the St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Hartford, participated in a Caribbean Trade Council (CTC) meeting with the city’s mayor Eddie Perez, representatives from other Caribbean consulates and members of the (CTC) and fielded questions from Jamaican residents at a Town Hall Meeting held at the club. Before returning to New York she stopped off at the Jamaica Progressive League’s Hartford branch and addressed them briefly.

Perfect batting stance: Consul General.
Ready to take on the bowler.

      Cricket Hall of Fame’s Director Michael Chambers explains a point to newly appointed Jamaican Consul General Geneive Brown Metzger, center, during her recent visit at the Hall of Fame’s facility. Looking on is Hartford’s Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson.

     Below, Consul General Brown Metzger is presented with a bottle of Cricket Hall of fame’s souvenir wine by Councilwoman Veronica Airey Wilson. Looking on is Hall of Fame’s member Pauline Davis, left and president Denton McCalla.

Greenidge, Haynes top Hall of Fame nominations

     Former star West Indies opening pair Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes tops a list of five persons who have been nominated to be inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame. This year’s ceremony is set for Saturday, September 20 at the Marriott Hotel, downtown Hartford. The other nominees are Florida cricket administrator Jeff Miller, co-founder of Lucas Sports Club in New York Mascelles Bailey and Mohamed Baksh, a member of the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Training and Examination Committee.

     The Rev. Canon Wilborne Austin, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Bloomfield, Connecticut, will receive a presidential award for his services to the community.

     Greenidge, a Barbadian, one half of the West Indies’ prolific opening partnership with Haynes, began his career in 1974 against India and continued to play international cricket until 1991. A feared opening batsman, he played in 108 Test matches in which he scored 7,558 runs with 19 centuries. He is perhaps best known for his amazing double-double century performance against England in 1984.

     Haynes, also a Barbadian, was Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1991. One of the greatest batsman to ever play for the West Indies, the muscular Haynes formed a formidable partnership with Greenidge which was integral to the success of the West Indies team in the 980s. Favoring a more measured approach to batting, unlike his counterpart Greenidge, Haynes compiled a redoubtable 7,487 runs in 116 Test matches at an average of 42.29. His highest Test innings came against England in 1984 with 184 off 395 balls.

     Miller, who began his cricket career as a youngster in his native Barbados, has established himself in the U.S. both as a player and an administrator. A fast bowler, he represented the U.S. in a number of international games, and has also served as chairman of the Northeastern Cricket Association while residing in New York. He moved to South Florida in 1986 and in 1990 was elected to the executive committee of the South Florida Cricket Assocation. In 2000 and 2001, he was appointed a member of the USA National Selection Committee. Currently he is a member of the City of Lauderhill Florida Organizing Committee for the Mayor’s Cup and is one of the persons responsible for the building of the Central Broward Regional Park Cricket Stadium.

     Bailey, originally from Jamaica, was a co-founder of The Bankers Athletic Cricket League in New York in 1971. A useful off-break and middle order batsman, Bailey also co-founded Lucas Sports Club with some well-known cricketers. The club reportedly is one of the only cricket clubs in New York that has its own club house. In addition to playing in the Metropolitan League, the oldest and one of the largest leagues in the U.S., Bailey has served that organization in various capacities.

     Baksh, a native of Guyana, from an early age, was involved with sports at various levels, serving on a number of community organizations and regional cricket boards. Having an abiding interest in cricket umpiring, he started officiating at matches at the age of 24 and has continued to do so ever since. Baksh has under his belt, more than a quarter century of officiating in Shell Shield and Red Stripe competitions in the West Indies. For a number of years, he was a member of the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Training Examination Committee.

     Canon Austin, another Barbadian, held several positions in Hartford, Connecticut prior to answering the call to the ordained ministry. Always a devout Anglican, his goal was always to become a priest in the faith. Since his ordination he has served faithfully as Priest at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church and Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. One of his responsibilities was the pastoral care of the parishioners. He paid visits to active, inactive and home-bound members. He ministers to individuals and conducted services to groups in various locations in the community earning the reputation for carrying out these duties faithfully with compassion and caring. “If I can help somebody as I travel on, then my living shall not be in vain,” is the motto that Canon Austin lives by.