THE tributes for Tony Cozier have poured in thick and fast as the cricketing world woke up to the news the veteran commentator had passed.Cozier, 75, was the most pronounced broadcasting figure in the West Indies over the last half-century.
Known widely as the ‘the Voice of West Indies Cricket’, even fellow commentators have called the loss, sad.
Jonathan Agnew, a fellow commentator, called Cozier his “favourite cricket commentator in the world”, saying his voice provided “the perfect soundtrack to any cricket match”.
“Tony Cozier was one of the finest writers and broadcasters in the game,” Agnew wrote for the BBC.
“He was a wonderfully descriptive and disciplined commentator, his melodic Bajan accent the perfect soundtrack to any cricket match,” Agnew said.
According to Test Match Special producer, Adam Mountford, “He had a voice which instantly transported you from wherever you were in the world to the sun-drenched beaches of Barbados”.
“Tony, or Winston Anthony Lloyd Cozier to give him his full name, was cricketing commentary royalty.”
Cozier worked on BBC’s Test Match Special for the better part of 50 years, and according to Mountford, was one of the most popular overseas commentators throughout.
The administration of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), set to begin this June, has also said, through its CEO, Damien O’Donohoe, it has been hit by the loss.
“It was with great sadness that we learned of Tony’s sad passing,” said O’Donohoe.
“On behalf of the CPL I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his wife Jillian, children Craig and Natalie and his family and friends at this difficult time. May he rest in peace,” said the League’s CEO.
The West Indies Cricket Board,(WICB with whom Cozier, in recent times, was always at odds, also lauded the contribution of the journalist to the sport in the region.
“On behalf the WICB and the various stakeholders in West Indies Cricket we offer sincere condolences to his wife Jillian, his son Craig, his daughter Natalie, his grandchildren and other family and friends,” read a statement from the WICB.

“The lifelong work of Tony Cozier centred around West Indies cricket and he made a lasting contribution to the game. He ensured that West Indies cricket fans all around the world received information and knowledge about their beloved team and their favourite players
. His life was dedicated to the game in the Caribbean and we salute him for his outstanding work.”
According to the WICB, Cozier was more than just a journalist but an ambassador for the region.
“He represented West Indies wherever he went. He educated people around the world about our cricket, our people, our culture and who we are. His voice was strong and echoed around the cricket world,” said the WICB.(Dportsmax)