Jamaican-Born Former West Indies Cricketer Dead

By NAN Sports Writer

News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Weds. Oct. 28, 2015: A Jamaican-born cricketer who once served as an opening batsman of the West Indies cricket team is dead. He was 65.

Basil Williams was born in Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica and played seven cricket tests between 1978 and 1979.

“We mourn the loss of another servant of the game in the Caribbean,” said WICB president Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron. “Indeed, the Jamaica Cricket Association and the Kensington Cricket Club family of which he was a part for all of his life will miss him.”

Williams made his debut for Jamaica in February 1970 and ended his first-class career in 1985. He struck five centuries in his 46-game first-class career and averaged 36.02.

He earned his place in the West Indies side, partly due to a solid regional first-class season in 1978 and the defection of many leading players to World Series Cricket.

Williams hammered a hundred against an equally depleted Australian side on debut in Guyana, ending the series with 257 runs at 42.83.

No cause of death was given and funeral arrangements were unknown at press time.