Late West Indies wicketkeeper lauded for ‘invaluable contribution’

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

FORMER BARBADOS and West Indies wicketkeeper Thelston Payne died yesterday, following a battle with illness.

The 66-year-old featured in one Test and seven One-Day Internationals for West Indies but was forced to play understudy to first-choice wicketkeeper Jeff Dujon for most of his career.

Following his retirement, Payne served as a cricket coach with the National Sports Council in Barbados before retiring six years ago.

“The president, board of directors and staff of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) wish to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former St Catherine, Barbados and West Indies cricketer Mr Thelston Payne,” the Barbados Cricket Association said in a statement.

“His invaluable contribution to the cricketing landscape in different capacities over many years will be always appreciated on this island and also in the wider cricketing world.”

Payne featured in 68 first-class matches, scoring 3,391 runs at an average of nearly 37, and hitting six hundreds. He also recorded 103 catches and eight stumpings.

In his only Test – the second of England’s five-match tour of the Caribbean in 1986 – Payne completed five catches in West Indies’ seven-wicket win at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) also paid tribute to the stylish left-handed batsman, lauding his contribution of coverage.

“On behalf of CWI, we offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of Thelston Payne. He is one of those unsung heroes of West Indies cricket who served the game at all levels for over four decades. During his playing career, he was a dynamic keeper and stylish batsman and was part of the great era of West Indies cricket when we dominated world cricket, under Sir Clive Lloyd and Sir Viv Richards,” read a CWI statement.

“After his playing days were over, he made a meaningful contribution as a coach and mentor in Barbados at the grassroots level. He also played a key role in the development of many players. His contribution will be remembered and we will remain grateful to this stalwart of cricket.”