unveiling of a Portrait of Berbice’ greatest cricketer, Rohan Kanhai.

Georgetown, Guyana - The Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continued with the unveiling of a Portrait of Berbice’ greatest cricketer, Rohan  Kanhai.

The unveiling took place in the main hall of the historic Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) pavilion and was witnessed by officials of the BCB, PMCC, GUYSUCO, relatives of Kanhai and students of the Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary School.

BCB Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Committee Chairman, Hilbert Foster noted that Rohan Kanhai was not only Berbice’s greatest player but one of the best that ever played at the international level.

Foster disclosed that Kanhai was among the Test players honoured by the BCB at the Golden Jubilee Celebration launching August 31 and later this month, the PMCC pavilion would be renamed in his honour.

Efforts are also being made by the BCB to have the Port Mourant Public Road renamed, Rohan Kanhai Drive.

BCB President Keith Foster, urged the students who attended the ceremony, to be proud of the heroes of Berbice cricket as they were part of the proud tradition of the Ancient County. Kanhai, the elder Foster said, was and still is a positive role model to all Berbicians.

Kanhai along with John Trim, Basil Butcher, Joseph Solomon and Ivan Madray laid the foundation for other Berbicians to play at the highest level and were outstanding ambassadors for Berbice and Guyana.

The BCB President stated that one of the major achievements of his administration was the honouring of most of Berbice cricket heroes on and off the field. He also praised the role Bookers and GUYSUCO have played in the development of the game in Berbice.

GUYSUCO’s Community Development Officer for the Port Mourant ground, Orwin Mangru and Godywn Allicock of PMCC also spoke at the ceremony. Mangru noted that his company was proud to be associated with the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary.

While noting that the PMCC is a shadow of its outstanding past, Mangru expressed confidence that the club that produced legends the likes of Kanhai, Butcher and Solomon would once again rise to the top. Allicock, Secretary of PMCC expressed gratitude to the BCB for honouring Kanhai and disclosed that the PMCC was honoured that it had produced Berbice’s greatest cricket hero.

Niece of Kanhai, Ms. Hanaria Sahadupal shared that her uncle was very proud to be honoured and praised the BCB for recognizing and honouring her uncle. Ms. Sahadupal and her husband Francis, later unveiled the portrait to great applause from those present.

Kanhai played a total of 79 Tests matches for the West Indies after making his test debut against England in 1957. He scored 6227 Test runs at an average of 47.53 with 15 centuries and 28 fifties. His highest Test score was a brilliant 256 against India.

Overall, Rohan Kanhai scored a total of 34,183 runs at the first class, List A and ODI levels with a combined 93 centuries and 158 fifties. He was appointed Captain of the West Indies for the 1972/73 tour of Australia to the Caribbean and retired from Test cricket after the Caribbean tour of England in 1974. He later played a major role in assisting the Clive Lloyd led West Indies team to lift the 1975 World Cup trophy by scoring a crucial 55 in the final.

First Published By Kaieteur News.

i corrected the awful spelling