WICB hails knighthood for Roberts, Richardson, Ambrose

St. John's (Antigua), March 1 (IANS/CMC) West Indies cricket chief Dave Cameron has welcomed the knighthood for Andy Roberts, Richie Richardson and Curtly Ambrose, describing the three icons as "great servants" of the sport.

The trio were knighted for their service to the game Friday at a ceremony during the lunch interval of the opening One-Day International against England at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, reports CMC.

"Today is a great day in West Indies cricket. These three great servants of West Indies have been rewarded for their outstanding contribution to their country, to this region and to world cricket," said Cameron, who was elected West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president last year.

Sir Anderson, one of the most feared fast bowlers of his time, claimed 202 wickets from 47 Tests in a 10-year career that helped give rise to the West Indies domination of world cricket during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The first Antiguan to play Test cricket, Sir Anderson went on to become a West Indies coach, selector and also lead the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association.

Sir Richard, widely referred to as Richie, was one of the finest contemporary batsmen, carving out 5,949 runs at an average of 44.39 in 86 Tests and 6,248 runs in 224 ODIs. He is the current manager of the West Indies team.

Sir Curtly is one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, finishing an illustrious 98-Test career with 405 wickets at an astonishing average of 20.9.

He is currently a bowling consultant for Combined Campuses & Colleges, based at the University of West Indies Cave Hill Campus.

"On behalf of the WICB, the cricket-loving public of the West Indies and cricket lovers all over the world I want to congratulate Sir Anderson, Sir Richard and Sir Curtly on their knighthoods and also to thank them for all they have done for this great game," Cameron said.

"We will always remember their outstanding performances, their hard work and loyalty and the entertainment they gave us."

The ceremony was watched by another Leeward Islands and West Indies great, Sir Vivian Richards, who was knighted 15 years ago.

Cameron said it was important that the event was hosted at a venue carrying Sir Viv's name.

"It was fitting that the ceremony was staged on a cricket field which carries the name of another great son of the soil - Sir Vivian Richards," the Jamaican administrator pointed out.

--IANS/CMC

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