ST JOHN’S, ANTIGUA – President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Dr Julian Hunte sent condolences to the daughters of Esmond Kentish following his passing yesterday.
Kentish who played two Test matches for the West Indies in 1948 and 1954 was the oldest living West Indian cricketer. He was 94 years old at the time of his passing. “Esmond was a perfect gentleman who was admired by all for the manner in which he conducted himself as a cricketer and a professional man,” Dr Hunte noted.
Kentish was a WICB Director, a life member of the Jamaica Cricket Association and also managed the West Indies team in 1973 and 1975.
As a medium-fast bowler, his most notable cricketing performance was his 5 for 49 against England in 1954 when he bowled the West Indies to victory at Sabina Park and in his professional life, he was the first black General Manager of the Bank of Jamaica and was conferred with the Order of Distinction for services to the bank.
Esmond was married to the late Nina Kentish and the union produced three daughters, two of whom – Margaret and Patsy – he leaves to mourn.
“Esmond was a stalwart not only of West Indies cricket but of Jamaican society and the high accolades he received throughout his distinguished and rich life are testimonies to his standing as a fine human being whom we will all miss,” Dr Hunte said.