The Caribbean Community was stunned on Friday by the news that Sir Conrad Cleophas Hunte had died. The sudden nature of his passing in far away Sydney, Australia was all the more shocking coming so soon after the death of his legendary countryman Malcolm Marshall.
His death, at 67, is especially untimely given his relatively recent return to the Region and his even more recent elevation to service in the administration of cricket in his native Barbados.
Such is the cricketing stature of Sir Conrad that he is one of few West Indian cricketers whose selection on any “Greatest-ever West Indies XI” is unquestioned. Such is the stature of the man Sir Conrad Hunte that he walked away from the game at the height of his powers to give his life to the cause of Moral Re-Armament.
Sir Conrad announced his entry into Test cricket with a score of 142 in his first innings and added two more centuries in that Series against Pakistan in 1958. One of those centuries came as he accompanied the young Garfield Sobers into history with a partnership of 446 as the latter established his then world record 365 not out. Sir Conrad achieved his highest Test score, 260, during that partnership.
His presence at the top of the order and in the team as vice-captain to the late Sir Frank Worrell was instrumental in the rise of the West Indies to the top of the cricketing world in the 1960s. The stability and firmness of purpose for which he was renowned, meant more to the West Indies than his eight (8) centuries and 13 fifties. His average of 45.08 was even more exceptional given that he never had the luxury of a steady opening partner at any stage of his career. In his last Test Series in India 1966-67, Sir Conrad was the only West Indian batsman to score a century in the three Test Matches.
Despite his cricketing achievements, the most remarkable qualities of Sir Conrad remained his dignity and humility – virtues fast receding in today’s sporting world. This was a West Indian whose quiet walk through life almost masked the enormity of his achievements and his contribution to the Region and the wider world, particularly in Southern Africa.
A man of integrity and principle, Sir Conrad’s selfless devotion to the task at hand be it at the crease, in the field or working with the youth in depressed areas of South Africa serves as a shining example to all and a model of a life worth living.
On behalf of the Caribbean Community, its Secretariat and on my own behalf, I extend to the Hunte family, the Government and people of Barbados and to the cricketing community, heartfelt condolences on the loss of this truly remarkable West Indian.
