West Indian Cricketers 1900-1955

I heard my father and his generation speak about the cricketers 1900-1955. I recall hearing about Lebrun Constantine, his brother-in-law and his sons especially, Learie Constantine, Charles Ollivierre and his brothers, Wilton St Hill and his brothers, George Headley, Clifford Roach and the fast bowlers; Float Woods, Archie Cumberbatch, Tommie Burton, Learie Constantine, George Francis, Herman Griffith, George John, Manny Martindale, George Hylton, and John Trim.  

Cricket and cricketers is generational. Rules are often changed to suit the dominant financial force in cricket.  It is obvious not even decades is the accurate measure of the success of the cricketers. Parallel careers against the same opponents in same conditions under the same rules are the best possible measuring tools. 

 I grew up admiring the hostility of fast bowlers versus the belligerent response of batsmen. The counterattacking batsmen employing the hook, pull, cut, cover drive and back drive in the direction of the bowlers were special and attractive against fast bowlers.   I loved to watch daring batsmen stepping down the wicket against fast bowlers as if they were spinners. 

I grew up in New Amsterdam. I recall hearing of early twentieth century West Indies fast bowlers at Austin’s Barber Shop on Strand. What struck me and stayed with me as odd or coincidence is that all of the early fast bowlers were Black Barbadians. At some point, I concluded not only was Austin’s Barber Shop a watering hole for Buxtonian working class males but also a gathering place for Africans of   Barbadian heritage in New Amsterdam. I am certain it was hearing bits and pieces of the ole men’s conversations at Austin’s Barber Shop which opened my imagination of the image of fast bowlers and fast bowling. I never cared for or were impressed by spin bowlers. At Austin’s Barber Shop,  I first heard of the following; Float Woods, Archie Cumberbatch, Tommie Burton, Learie Constantine, George Francis, Herman Griffith, George John, Manny Martindale, George Hylton, John Trim, and Roy Gilchrist.

The records exhibits Burton, Cumberbatch, and Woods were the fast bowlers on the early West Indian teams which toured England in 1900 and 1906. The trio was born in Barbados. Burton and Cumberbatch also represented British Guiana and Trinidad in regional matches. Constantine, Francis and Griffith were the featured fast-bowling threesome on the 1923 and 1928 tours of England. Herman Griffith is perhaps best remembered for unearthing Don Bradman’s stumps. Don Bradman had not scored a single run.  That’s perhaps the only occasion Don Bradman had been dismissed without scoring much less clean bowled in any form of cricket.

Constantine, Hylton and Martindale formed the triad in 1935. However, at Old Trafford on July 22-25, 1939 Martindale, Hylton, Constantine, and Williams formed what must be considered as the original West Indies foursome. In 1948, Lance Pierre, John Trim and Floffie Williams appeared in one match. Gilchrist made his test match debut sharing the new ball with frank Worrall. In his last test match appearance Gilchrist and hall were the opening bowlers. Eric Atkinson was the first change. Hall soldiered on until and with Charlie Griffith arrived in 1960. The pair declined in late 1960s, on the tour of Australia in 1968/1969. During the decade of the 1960s Gary sobers occasionally bowled the first over.

West Indies struggle to locate a really outstanding fast bowler from 1969 ended in 1974 with the emergence of Andy Roberts. However, during that five years’ period Keith Boyce had a shining moment in the three test matches series against England in England in 1973. Vanburn Holder was steady, accurate and unspectacular. Boyce and Holder weren’t terribly quick. Roberts made his test match debut in 1974 in Barbados. Roberts made his test match debut in Barbados in March 1974 versus England. He shared the new ball with Holder. Julian and Sobers were the backup quicker bowlers. Roberts shared the new ball with Marshall in his last test match appearance in December 1983 in Madras. Davis and Holding completed the foursome.

West Indies first recorded their first test match victory over Australia at SCG in 1931. Frank Martin, Clifford Roach, George Headley, G C Grant (captain), Derek Sealy, Learie Constantine, EL Barlett, IM Barrow (wicket-keeper) O C “Tommie” Scott George Francis and Herman Griffith

West indies first innings  350 for six wickets declared (Martin 123* Headley 105, Grant 62 and Roach 31: Grimmett 3 /100) and second innings  124 for five wickets declared

Australia 224 (Fairfax 54, Bradman 43: Francis 19-6-48-4, Constantine 10-2-28-1, and Griffith 13.2-3-31-1) and second innings (Fairfax 60, McCabe 44, Bradman 0: Griffith 13.3-3-50-4, Constantine 17-2-50-2, and Francis 16-2-32-0