Tributes pour in from his former teammates

MILTON Robert Pydanna was born on January 27, 1950 and played three One Day Internationals (ODIs) for the West Indies as a wicketkeeper.
Sadly, the former Police, Berbice, Guyana and West Indies player passed away on Tuesday afternoon in New York at the age of 75.
He leaves to mourn his wife Kamla, his family and the West Indian cricket fraternity.

According to his wife, Pydanna’s body will be brought back to Guyana for burial after the church service scheduled for Wednesday in Brooklyn, USA.
Pydanna, who hails from Smithfield Greater New Amsterdam and attended Vyman’s Ervin school, played 85 first-class matches and represented Guyana for 17 seasons from 1970 to 1988.

Pydanna, first played for the Fort Canje Hospital CC and captained Berbice at the inter-county level. One of his two first class tons was made in the 1978 inter-county Jones Cup final against Demerara.
His other first-class ton came the same year, in the Shell Sheild competition while he has nine fifties at this level while holding 152 catches and effecting 36 stumpings.
In List ‘A’ cricket he has 32 dismissals including 11 stumpings while he made 27 in a crucial half-century stand with Derek Kallicharran (67) in the 1983 Geddis Grant Harrisson Line limited overs final against Jamaica which ensured Guyana achieved the first ever regional ‘double’ after winning the Shell Shield.

Pydanna’s first ODI came on the tour of Pakistan in 1980, when he replaced David Murray. He had Javed Miandad caught off Colin Croft and had a stumping off Viv Richards.
His next chance came three years later on the tour India when he replaced Dujon in the fifth and final ODI, in Guwahati. Pydanna took a catch but did not get to bat as the West Indies top order chased down 183 in a shortened game.
After playing his last series in 1988 Red Stripe Cup, Pydanna migrated to NY in 1989. In 2014, he was named as one of the two assistant coaches of USA’s national side.
Tributes:

Andy Jackman: “Pydanna was a pleasure to play with. He was always cheerful and happy, even in tough times. Plus, he was a quality wicket keeper. You can depend on him to produce something special. Rest in peace Py.”
Derek Kallicharran: “I would forever be grateful for the help and guidance that Pydanna had given me during our playing days for both Berbice and Guyana. As a wicket keeper, he mentored me so I was able to bowl better. I got a lot of wickets because of his keeping and as a batsman we shared a match winning partnership for Guyana. Everyone would remember 1983 Geddes Grant/Harrison line finals versus Jamaica at Bourda.

I will miss Py and so too the entire Guyanese cricket fans. From my wife, my son Matthew, myself and the rest of the Kallicharran family, our sincerest thoughts and prayers to his family”
Leslaine Lambert: “Milton Pydanna was one of the best wicket keepers in the Caribbean and the two tours he made with the West Indies did not do him any justice. He served his country well and had a great passion for the game of cricket. He was a fierce competitor and a worthy opponent when we played against each other at the club level and very good friend. My sympathy and condolences to his wife, kids and entire family. May He Rest in Eternal Peace.”
Tyrone Etwaroo: “Milton Pydanna was a teammate of mine, for Berbice and Guyana, from 1976 to 1984. On the field, he was a fierce competitor. Off the field he was an awesome entertainer. In my opinion, apart from Michael Finley, he was the best pure wicketkeeper during my time. The Etwaroo family

sends our sincere condolences to his wife and the rest of his family. RIP my dear brother, you will be missed.”

Jamaican batsman Wayne Lewis: “I played against Pydanna…in 1986 at Sabina Park (Shell Shield) and 1988 at Albion (first ever Red Stripe Cup). He was a very efficient, neat and stylish wicket keeper…wow and I didn’t know he had passed….my condolences to his family and friends…RIP legend.”
“I captained Pydanna for Guyana and West Indies and was one of most talented wicket-keepers in the West Indies…he had such quick hands and he will be missed. RIP Py,” said Sir Clive Lloyd, speaking from his hospital bed yesterday where he is recovering from a surgery.
Roger Harper: “It’s been really sad the hear of Pydanna’s passing. I feel very privileged to have shared the cricket field and dressing room with him at the National and International level. He was one of finest glove men that I have bowled with behind the stumps. I want to say special condolences to his wife

and family, his kids and all of siblings and also cricketing family in particular the 1983 group of Champions that won the first ever regional double. We will certainly miss him but we know he has gone to the great beyond so RIP Py, we will miss you.”
This writer, at the age of 17, had the honour of bowling when Pydanna was keeping. This happened in the 1988 Red Stripe Cup senior four-day trials at the Police ground Eve Leary. RIP Mr. Pydanna.