Worrell was West Indies’ first black captain and a revered figure around the world.
Sir Frank Worrell, born on August 1, 1924, represented the West Indies in 51 Tests. However, his reputation transcended the field of play and was known as one of the greatest statesmen in the game. Worrell was West Indies’ first black captain and a revered figure around the world. He died at the relatively young age of 42 in 1967. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, Nishad Pai Vaidya picks 11 things, apart from the knighthood, that stand testament to Worrell’s statesmanship.
1. The first black to lead the West Indies
Worrell was West Indies’ first black captain. The great George Headley had earlier captained the West Indies in one Test, which was an exception, as blacks weren’t considered for the job until 1960. CLR James, who was then the editor of The Nation in Trinidad, took it upon himself to lead the campaign for Worrell’s ascendancy to the leadership.
The Independent noted that James wrote at one point, “The Board (West Indies’ cricket authorities) should know that the eyes of the world are upon them. Yes, the eyes of the world. Not to select Worrell would be an act of war.” Finally, Worrell was made captain for the tour to Australia in 1960-61 and the rest is history. Worrell was such a revered figure in West Indies cricket that James went through with his barrage for over a year until the authorities made the decision.
2. Respecting the umpires and the field of play
When Worrell took over captaincy, he made it a point to instil discipline in his men and foster respect for the sport. For Worrell, sportsmanship was paramount — which was evident during his first series in charge in Australia. Garry Sobers, the legendary West Indies all-rounder, writes in his book Sobers: Twenty Years At The Top, “If you were not happy about a decision, he [Worrell] said, you would leave the crease without showing your displeasure. There was not one incident with umpires on the whole tour.”
Not only that, but he also pressed his teammates to behave well in public. That tour was historic as it saw the first ever tied Test and some great cricket, with the series going to Australia 2-1. Despite losing, Worrell’s men had won hearts Down Under and thousands of people bid tickertape farewell to them on the streets of Melbourne after the series. It was only possible because a statesman like Worrell was at the helm.
3. Donating blood to save Nari Contractor
Worrell was at the forefront as some players gathered to donate blood to Nari Contractor for his emergency operation after he was felled by a lethal Charlie Griffith bouncer in 1962. That act by Worrell won him many fans and to this day, the Frank Worrell Day is commemorated at the Eden Gardens, where people are encouraged to donate blood.
In 2009, Contractor was in the West Indies to launch numerous blood banks in honour of Worrell. Since then, the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Blood Drive is held every year in The University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Trinidad campus. With that act of kindness, Worrell grew in stature and saved his fellow cricketer’s life.
4. The University of the West Indies’ numerous honours
Worrell became a respected figure even outside the cricketing world. He was at The UWI as a warden. For some time, he was also a dean and looked after sports. He left such a mark that the cricket ground at the campus in Barbados is called the 3Ws Oval — Clyde Walcott and Everton Weekes comprising the other two of the esteemed trio.
The troika’s contributions are also commemorated by a statue in the Barbados campus. Worrell and Walcott were laid to rest quite close to the statues. There are two Halls of Residence in the Barbados campus named after Worrell. The UWI also has a Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in their Trinidad campus. The Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Lecture has also been held every year for over two decades.
5. Politics
While Worrell was an active cricketer, he was appointed as a Senator in Jamaica. His time in the Jamaican Senate lasted for two years from 1962 to 1964. Worrell was a unifying figure for West Indies cricket and also advocated a greater togetherness between the islands. Thus, Worrell had transcended the barriers of the field and had become a true West Indian figure.
6. Cricket manager soon after retirement
Worrell quit playing in 1963-64 and was soon appointed the manager of the West Indies side. Sobers was appointed captain and Worrell remained a guiding force for the team. Vaneisa Baksh, the West Indian sports journalist, notes that James had in fact advocated dropping Worrell as a player for the 1963 tour of England and instead appoint him manager. Worrell’s Test career ended in England in 1963. It isn’t often that a player is handed a management job soon after quitting the game, but such was Worrell’s stature that he was the obvious candidate for the job.
7. Memorial at Westminster Abbey
Worrell was hit by leukaemia and passed away at the young age of 42 in 1967. It was a huge loss for people across different walks of life. A memorial was held for him at the Westminster Abbey in London. This was the first time that a memorial for a sportsman was held at the Abbey.
8. Black Sports Hall of Fame
In 1975, seven sportsmen from the Caribbean were inducted into the United States Black Sports Hall of Fame. The seven were the first non-American inductees. Worrell was one of them along with fellow cricketers Sobers, Headley and Learie Constantine.
9. Frank Worrell Memorial Committee
The Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Committee was established on March 13, 2007 on the 40th anniversary of his passing away. Incidentally, the 2007 World Cup also commenced on the same day in the West Indies. The Committee is behind the annual blood donation drive in Trinidad since 2009.
10. Barbados’ postage stamps and notes to commemorate Worrell
Worrell’s contributions have been commemorated by his home country, Barbados as they have honoured him by placing his image on their five dollar note. He also features on their two dollar postage stamps.
11. Frank Worrell Trophy
Such was the legacy Worrell left behind after the 1960-61 tour Down Under that Australia and the West Indies compete for the Frank Worrell Trophy.
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