Roar Guru
Joined February 2015
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"As you slide down the banister of life, you are bound to pick up a splinter or two in your arse." Queensland horse trainer Vic Rail.
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Last week, a former Jamaican cricketer died in Kingston Public Hospital. Years of cocaine abuse and living rough had ravaged beyond recognition the mind…
I agree Camo McD. From the outside at least, Croft would seem to be a hard man. He doesn’t suffer fools. But how can you not feel for your teammates who ended up on life’s scrap heap?
Rebel to vagrant: The tragic demise of Richard Austin
Yes, Stephen, it seems everyone who went on those rebel tours has been tainted in some way. Even captain Lawrence Rowe, who is still revered in some parts of Jamaica, and is now based in Florida, has his problems. A couple of years ago, a Sabina Park stand was named after him – a great national honour. But then it was withdrawn when people complained that he hadn’t properly apologised for his part in the rebel tours. He is trying to rehabilitate his image with the Lawrence Rowe Foundation, which has been set up to help kids who have fallen behind at school.
Rebel to vagrant: The tragic demise of Richard Austin
The main similarity between the two eras, Elizabeth, is that all the islands on the West Indies are essentially still “second world” economically speaking, so it’s no surprise current cricketers from the Caribbean take advantage of the IPL and other T20 cash-a-thons in order to swell their bank accounts. Now however, their riches are far in excess of anything previous generations could have dreamt of. Whether it leads to happiness or not is another question….
Rebel to vagrant: The tragic demise of Richard Austin
Yes, it seems Stephenson was a mighty talent, Pope Paul VII. Hard to say whether Austin would have played for the Windies again if he hadn’t toured with the rebels. His career hadn’t really kicked on – and the Windies pace attack was very dominant, edging out non-fast-bowling types like himself. You can see why he took the US$130,000 to go to South Africa…
Rebel to vagrant: The tragic demise of Richard Austin
You are right about Jim Allen, Sheek. Though he did play 3 WSC Super Tests, which as far as I am concerned, is the real deal. To this day In Montserrat he’s considered a hero. Not many Montserrat sportsmen of note apparently…
When you think of the Windies guys who missed out in that era: Padmore, Collis King, Austin, Stephenson – it’s amazing the depth they had.
Rebel to vagrant: The tragic demise of Richard Austin
“Lots of wasted talent” indeed, Danno74. What struck me most about the Austin story was that he could have lived a relatively peaceful and secure life – he owned a house and cars – but chose instead to flounder on the streets up to his eyeballs in drugs. Was it shame that drove him to the gutter? He had several stints in therapy as well, but to no avail…
Rebel to vagrant: The tragic demise of Richard Austin