‘A quintessential Caribbean man’

Former West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Patrick Rousseau has hailed late West Indies commentator Tony Cozier as a true Caribbean man.
Describing the former journalist as being in a class by himself, Rousseau explained that Cozier fought for the right of West Indies cricket to be revered and respected.
One such instance, Rousseau highlighted, came during the 1970s and 1980s when Barbados cricket was at the top in the region and there were talks of the country playing Tests on their own.
He said Cozier, in no uncertain manner, demanded that such a proposition be abandoned.
"He was a quintessential Caribbean man, one who loved and always looked out for the interest of Caribbean cricket and Caribbean cricketers," said Rousseau.
"I remember, for example, when Barbados was thinking about going it alone. He just rubbished it and told them it could not work. Subsequently, the calls began to tone down."

A GREAT LOSS

Rousseau, who was president of the regional body in the late 1990s and early 2000s, also described the passing of Cozier as a great loss and one that will be hard to replace.
"It's a great loss as Cozier was in a class by himself," he said.
"I don't know how he will be replaced. He was the topman in commentary and his writings reflected a deep knowledge and understanding of the game.
"My condolences go out to his family and friends," he declared.
Cozier, who was 75 years at the time of his passing earlier this week, started his journalism career in the 1960s and has since covered numerous West Indies Cricket tours at home and abroad.

He has also co-authored biographies of West Indies cricket greats, fellow-Barbadian Sir Garry Sobers, Guyanese Clive Lloyd and Jamaican Michael Holding.