By Frederick Halley
HAILED as a cricket administrator extraordinaire by many, Richard Ramlall was laid to rest last Thursday following a moving ceremony at the Pine Hill Cemetery in Scarborough, Toronto, Canada, severely restricted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ramlall passed away two Saturdays ago, reportedly from the dreaded coronavirus following weeks of battling the disease.
The 85-year-old Ramlall, who was also credited with introducing T20 cricket on the global scene, despite not being given the accolades for his innovation, made a sterling contribution to cricket especially at provincial level in Ontario.
Having held the position of president of Victoria Park Cricket Club (VPCC) for 43 years, Ramlall stood down in 2016 but with cricket still very much in his blood, still found the time to attend a few matches during the summer.
The Guyanese-born Ramlall, who migrated to Canada in 1968, was also a long-standing executive member of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) and was instrumental in the popular Inter-city games, featuring Scarborough and Markham but in an interview a few years back, lamented the fact that there was no follow-up and “the whole thing died a natural death, despite full support by the politicians.”
Prior to migrating, Ramlall played briefly as an all-rounder in Wight Cup tournaments in then British Guiana but soon after donned colours for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), playing under the captaincy of Mike Brearley, considered to be one of England’s finest leaders.
Apart from Brearley, other well-known names in the MCC side were Fred Titmus and Dave Parfitt. Ramlall’s brief stint saw him achieving the remarkable figures of nine wickets for 10 runs in his debut game versus Surrey who were dismissed for a paltry 28.
A product of the prestigious Queen’s College in Guyana, where he was successful at both the Ordinary and Advanced Levels at the General Certificate (GCE) examinations, Ramlall gained employment at the-then Public Works Department in Kingston, Georgetown before departing for England in 1956.
Ramlall left with the sole intention of studying medicine but after two years at King’s College London University had a change of heart since according to him he “couldn’t stand dead bodies.”
The youthful Ramlall competed for, and won a scholarship to Durham University in Newcastle where he studied for a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and due to his outstanding scholastic achievement, copped another scholarship to London University Imperial College, South Kensington. By then, he had already secured a BSC in Mechanical Engineering.
After deferring the second scholarship, Ramlall decided to return home to then British Guiana in 1962 where he took up an offer with Bookers Sugar Estates as a mechanical engineer at Enmore Estate.
Ramlall was promoted to senior engineer after just one year and transferred to Uitvlugt Estate where he worked for about five years.
Despite the promise of further advancement and pleas by the management of Bookers Estate, Ramlall migrated to Canada in 1968.
Paying tribute to the late Ramlall, Cricket Ontario said: It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Richard Ramlall, a stalwart cricket administrator. Richard has helped the sport of cricket and provided countless cricket players, especially youth to play cricket.
On behalf of Cricket Ontario Executives and its members, we send our deepest condolences to Richard’s family and all the members of Victoria Park Cricket Club at this difficult time.
“The cricket fraternity mourns with you and celebrates the extraordinary life of this remarkable person who devoted his countless time to the sport and the cricketers.
“The efforts of the late Richard Ramlall stand as a testament to the long-standing establishment of Victoria Park Cricket Club, proof that one person’s simple effort and dedication can make a difference. The respect of all those involved in cricket in Ontario and Canada is fully appreciated and inspired by his commitment. We are sure his legacy will stand as an example to all cricket administrators.”
Current SCA president Shiv Persaud described Ramlall as a dear friend and mentor. According to Persaud, Ramlall impacted and influenced his life and many others like you would never know. “Your legacy is strong and will live on! RIP Legend!”
Ramlall leaves to mourn his wife of 60 years, Zlata and other family members.
