The West Indian . Jan 16, 2019 . Page 46 www.thewestindianonline.com

PROFILE of The Week By Dr. DHANPAUL NARINE is Honored With British Empire Medal t was August 2015 at Idlewild announced his arrival on a turning . The year 1983 was are those that think the world stage in a big But Alvin left his probably his best. Alvin it was his debut at IPark in New York. There were way. best performances scored 2,000 runs while oth- a number of greats of West In- During the course for Warwickshire. He for Warwickshire, ers feel that the 157 dies . At the end of the of his distinguished excelled in the Sunday including three double against England, at career Alvin played for a John Player League centuries. He was named Port of Spain, should game the young cricketers want- number of teams. Apart competition and he ‘Cricketer of the Year’ in rank among his best. ed to speak to only one of them. from , and the dazzled with memora- the prestigious Wisden Who can forget West Indies, he played ble scores in the county magazine. I met Alvin the onslaught against He willingly obliged and for the for Warwickshire, championships. John in New York in 1991 Lillee in the 1975 next few minutes he had them Transvaal, Queensland, Arlott said that a visit to and his humanity was Word Cup? Brave, under his spell. Alvin Kalli- and Orange Free State. Warwickshire ‘should evident. He was witty, bare-headed, and He was also the national be a must for any young approachable, and down with his buttoned charran spoke about the need to earth. The su- down shirt billowing for discipline, about keeping perstar was like the in the breeze, Alvin oneself fi t and above all to person next door. faced Lillee. It was We met again a classic battle for never to give up, even when the following year the history books. a mountain is staring at you. in Warwickshire. A Alvin unleashed a trip to Edgbaston number of unbeliev- The youngsters han Kanhai, Joe was compulsory. It able hooks and pulls listened intently and Solomon, Basil was here that Alvin that kept Umpire at the end of his mo- Butcher, the Chris- held court and Dickie Bird waving tivational speech they tiani brothers, John where Rohan Kan- boundaries, and sent gave him a warm Trim, and others. hai, Deryck Mur- the crowd delirious. applause. Alvin’s Alvin learned his ray, There were other simplicity and his cricket in Berbice and later great innings as well, ability to mix with all and he looked up weaved their mag- such as his 206 in a have endeared him to to the stars of Port ic. As we walked limited overs game people from all walks Mourant for in- to the ground, against Oxfordshire of life. He sees it as spiration. He also people from all in 1984. But the his mission to share played table tennis backgrounds tipped memory that brings his knowledge with in his formative their hats to Alvin. a twinkle in Alvin’s others and to pass on years and credits He was the local eyes was his 141 information that can the game for keep- hero and they were against Somerset in be of help. ing him fi t. proud of him. He 1983. Alvin Kalli- Alvin fi rst burst acknowledged them was bowling at full charran was one of on the national with respect and throttle. Garner ran in the premier players stage in schoolboy humility of which and bounced. Alvin of his time. Richie cricket. He made Satya Sai Baba spun like a gazelle Benaud, the former 94 at Bourda, would be proud. and deposited him Australian , showing the show- Like many great high into the stands. said it best. Accord- ing grit and deter- players, Alvin was Garner, with his ing to Benaud, Alvin mination for which not fussy about hands on his hips, was the complete he would become statistics. The re- could only watch in batsman that could famous. His cord shows that he admiration. That ‘six’ play both sides of innings prompted scored 87 fi rst-class was described as the the wicket and was the late Ayube centuries. The 2019 shot of the summer. at home with spin Hamid to inform British Empire called and pace alike. Clive radio listeners that Medal (BEM) was it a world-class Lloyd played with a new star was awarded by the innings while John and captained Alvin born. After several Balance, elegance, timing, and aesthetic brilliance, equally against Queen to Alvin Woodcock from the in several games. good performances spin and pace, have combined to produce one of the premier for his contribu- ‘Times’ said that Al- Lloyd said that in the Shell Shield cricketers of his generation. Alvin Kallicharran was awarded the tion to cricket and vin was the ‘Wizard Alvin was the most competition Alvin British Empire Medal for services to cricket and charity. It is a richly his charity work. of Warwickshire.’ complete batsman was picked to deserved honor for a great son of Guyana and the West Indies. He has supported Alvin Isaac Kalli- of his era. During play his fi rst Test many events over charran has brought his illustrious career against New Zealand in coach of Kenya. cricketer because of the years and raised joy to cricket fans Alvin produced many 1972. The game was at In 1978, Alvin was Kallicharran’s opulent thousands of dollars for all over the world. outstanding innings Bourda, in Georgetown. appointed captain of the stroke-play.’ As the charity. They range from He richly deserves that sent the scribes Any hint of ner- West Indies team when world knows, Alvin was disaster relief for Tsu- the British Empire and purists gushing vousness was quickly he refused to sign for banned from playing for nami victims to cancer Medal award. He has with praise and admi- dispelled as the lad Kerry Packer. He took West Indies because of research, and others. served well and is at ration. attacked the bowling. At the team to India the his visit to South Africa. Alvin played many peace with himself. Alvin is part of the end of the day Alvin following year in what Every innings after that magical innings that We wish him and his the cricket nursery joined a select band of was a hard fought series. was to prove a point to left his fans in awe. His family all the best in in Port Mourant, in cricketers to score a According to Sunil Ga- the selectors. As Alvin virtuosity, improvisation the future. Guyana, that has century in his fi rst Test. vaskar, Alvin played one said at the time, ‘the and artistry have become produced many In the following Test of the fi nest innings seen county matches were my the subject of endless The views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer and do distinguished names. in Trinidad he scored in India when he made a and I gave it discussions. Which is his not necessarily represent the views They include Ro- another century and he century in Bangalore, on my all.’ greatest innings? There of the THE WEST INDIAN.