Knowing Tony Cozier was a privilege for 50 years.
The 75-year-old cricket commentator-writer died at his Barbadian home after a short illness, but his loss to West Indian cricket will be huge.
He was the undisputed voice of West Indian cricket for 58 years with his clipped Caribbean accent, great sense of humour, and deep cricket knowledge.
But it was the same in every country he visited with the calypso kings, Tony was welcomed by all listeners through the BBC, Channel 9, and Sky.
When I started David Lord’s World of Cricket, the first worldwide monthly cricket magazine in the early 70s, Tony was an original contributor, as was Roar cricket columnist Kersi Meher-Homji.
Tony was always on time with an insightful look behind the scenes as to the future West Indian cricketers, and at the same time dealing with the potentially explosive administration culture that often ran off the rails.
He handled that difficult two-pronged job with the aplomb of a diplomat.
Tony once told me – “Supporting West Indian cricketers is both easy and a joy, yet the administrators were rarely up the the high standards of the on-field cricketers.”
But it was just as easy and a joy for the West Indian cricketers to trust the Barbadian, and they often came to Tony for unbiased advice.
None more so than fast bowling legend Michael Holding, who rates Tony Cozier right up there with Sir Garfield Sobers in the pecking order of West Indian cricket.
There could be no finer salute.
Like Michael Holding, it’s been a privilege to know Winston Anthony Lloyd Cozier.
He will be sorely missed by the cricket fraternity.
GWSingapore
Guest
Charles Fortune? Only if you like ham thickly cut. Could not even tie his tie.
kersi meher-homji
Guest
David, it was a pleasure knowing Tony and writing with him in a few publications. What a thrill it was to write for in David Lord's World of Cricket along with the best writers in cricketing world! With that magazine, David, you changed the way cricket was presented in Australia. YOU made it international. Take a bow, Lordy.
Adsa
Guest
Thanks for that David, he was great to listen to and will be missed next time we plat the Windies.
peter chrisp
Guest
One of the best cricket commentators of all time legendary
David Lord
Expert
Axel, you are quite right linking Tony with Richie Benaud and Alan McGilvray, but I would add Englishmen John Arlott and Brian Johnston, with South African Charles Fortune. All five were very different commentators, but they shared one gift - they were all brilliant communicators. Sadly, all five are no longer with us: John Arlott died in December 1991, aged 77. Brian Johnston - June 1994, aged 81. Charles Fortune - November 1994, aged 88. Alan McGilvray - December 1996, aged 86 And Richie Benaud - April last year, aged 84. Tony Cozier was the youngest of the quality quintet, aged 75.
MatthewSkellett
Guest
Gee 2016 is firming as a graveyard year for a lot of famous ,talented people. I always loved hearing Tony Cozier's commentary - a calm voice in often stormy controversy - Vale Mr Cozier -we will miss you deeply :-(
Craig Swanson
Guest
David. You had the privilege of working with him I venture. There was one constant on the air waves when the great West Indian teams of the 70/80/90s toured here and we toured the Caribbean...Tony Cozier the Barbadian with the golden tonsils and wide knowledge of the game.There are two Windies commentators I enjoy listening to. Ian Bishop is one and the legendary Coz was the other.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
R.I.P Tony Cozier, a fantastic commentator. Loved his accent, he was the voice of Windies Cricket.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Loved his work.
jarijari
Guest
Absolute legend. Vale Tony.
Fox
Roar Guru
His voice will be missed like Tony Gregs is here. So much experience and witnessed so much cricket. You just can't replace that kind of knowledge.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
Along with Benaud and McGilvray, one of the greatest commentators of all time, these blokes are irreplaceable in the commentary box, they new what they were on about, unlike the rubbish we have today. RIP Tony Cozier.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Thanks for this David. He was a legend. I'll always remember listening to his great calls during the 1999 series when Lara went ballistic after the Windies had been demolished in the first test. He was able to capture the ups and downs of West Indian cricket so well and explain the problems the different nations faced coming together. RIP Tony.