ST JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies legend Andy Roberts will receive a special honour next year – to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his international debut. The Antigua & Barbuda cricket Association and the West Indies Cricket Board will mark the occasion during the three-match One-Day Series between West Indies and England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium next February and March.“I was contacted by Mr Zorol Barthley (President of the ABCA) and told about it. I’m honoured,” Roberts said. “It’s something to look forward to…being honoured for my contribution to cricket in Antigua, the West Indies and around the world.”
Roberts looked back: “I was nervous…I was very nervous. I always wanted to play for the West Indies and I always played with pride. When I played for the West Indies I did not see myself as coming from Antigua…I was a West Indian and I was representing all the people of the West Indies.”
The outstanding fast bowler played his first Test for West Indies against England in Barbados back in 1974. In that match, Roberts used the new ball and took three wickets – 1-75 in the first innings and 2-49in the second innings.
In that match Lawrence Rowe made a monumental 302.
The 62-year-old Roberts played 47 Test matches between 1974 and 1983 and took 202 wickets at 25.6 runs per wickets. His best bowling figures were 7-54. After retiring he was the West Indies Coach, a West Indies senior selector. Earlier this year was the Head Coach of the St Lucia Zouks in the inaugural Caribbean Premier League
The Windies will take on England in the first of three matches on February 28 before returning on March 2 and 5 for two other ODIs. All matches here will be played at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds.
The teams will then travel to Barbados where they will play three Twenty20 matches on March 9, 11 and 13 at Kensington Oval.