On Friday, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) mourned the loss of two former Guyana and West Indies cricketers. Joe Solomon, famous for his exceptional hitting prowess in the 1950s and 1960s, has died at the age of 93. Clyde Potts, former Guyana captain in the 1980s, has died at the age of 66 due to a car accident.
Dr Kishore Shallow, President of the West Indies Cricket Association, paid tribute, saying: “The wonderful contributions made by Joe Solomon and Clyde Potts will be remembered not only by those living in their native Guyana but also by many throughout the West Indies.”
He continued, “Joe Solomon stood among the heroes of West Indies cricket. His famous play – catch, throw and run to Ian Meckiff in the tied Test – remains an indelible moment in our history. His dedication to service” was evident in his mentoring of many players, and by showing His commitment to developing sports. “He was a true servant of the game.”
“Clyde Potts, a powerful figure in West Indies first-class history, demonstrated extraordinary skill as an off-spinner and captain of Guyana. His legacy extended far beyond the field, earning him recognition as a statesman and ambassador for Guyana,” President Shallow noted. . “He played for Guyana and the region. Upon retirement, his unwavering commitment to coaching reflected his dedication. He tirelessly invested hours in nurturing young talent and passionately promoting their development within the sport.”
He further noted that he “served with distinction as Team Manager of the West Indies Under-19 team. His exceptional leadership as Chief Selector in particular resulted in the formation of the victorious team that won the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup, a victory that brought great pride and glory to the people of the West Indies.”
Joseph Stanislaus Solomon played 27 Test matches from 1958 to 1965. His debut in 1958 against India at Kanpur showed impressive scores of 45 and 86, including a partnership of 163 with Garfield Sobers. He gained notoriety for running out the last Australian batsman, leading to the famous drawn Test in December 1960 at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Clyde Godfrey Potts made his Test debut in 1987 at Burda Oval and played seven Tests during the West Indies’ era of dominance. He was among the leading first-class bowlers for the West Indies in the 1980s, and finished his career with 348 first-class wickets. After retirement, he served as an administrator, chairing the West Indies senior men’s selection committee during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory in 2012 in Sri Lanka under Darren Sammy.