Basil Butcher thrills fans at 1st ever RHTY&SC evening of stars function

Nov 22, 2008 Sports

Murray inducted as honorary member

Long serving RHTY&SC Executive member Ms. Bernadette King(right) presenting the Honorary Certificate of membership to Deryck Murray.

Former West Indies Test Player and cricketing legends Basil Butcher and Deryck Murray on Saturday Evening rolled back the years for cricket fans both young and old when the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) held its first ever ‘Evening of Stars’ at the St. Francis Annex Restaurant, Rose Hall Corentyne.

Both cricketing legends interacted with the large audience in an evening that will be etched in the memories of all who attended for a very long time and perhaps, forever.

Answering a question on the importance discipline and education for the young cricketers, Murray stated that for any career to be successful it must be built on discipline.

Education was also identified as a necessary asset as it helps you to make informed decisions which keep you on the right track no matter your achievements.

Having a firm educational background also assists you to move on to another career after your cricketing days are over, Murray shared.

Murray and Butcher highlighted the importance of personal fitness, preparation and practice stating that without these, no cricketer can be successful.

The former Windies cricketers also shared their experiences playing under the great Sir Frank Worrell, the legendary West Indies captain and on wearing the West Indies maroon cap for the first time.

Referring to Sir Frank, a legend in the true sense, both players described him as a proud Caribbean man who believes that his cricket had a job to do make West Indians proud.

Discipline and team unity were the keys to his success as a captain along with great respect his charges had for him. One way Sir Frank made his players bond was to make sure that no two players from the same country were roommates which allowed players to understand each others culture and habits.

Murray in recalling his test debut stated that wearing the maroon cap was a dream come true and up to this day brings goose bumps to his skin as he recalls walking out with legends the likes of Butcher, Rohan Kanhai, Sir Garfield Sobers and Conrad Hunte. Butcher’s Test debut was the best day of his life, he recalled.

They both named Sir Garfield Sobers as the greatest cricketer the world has seen, calling him the “ perfect all rounder” who can score a century, then destroy the other team with either pace or left arm spin and at the same time be brilliant in any position in the field.

Butcher recalled that in 1963 during the England tour while everyone was struggling to field a ball, Sobers was taking catches in the slips with the greatest of ease.

Sachin Tendulkar of India was described as a batsman with a lot of records but Brain Lara was referred to as the one batsman they would pay their money to see.

Among the other topics discussed were cricket in the 1960’s physical fitness, reasons for West Indies success in the 1980’s, fast bowling in the Caribbean.

Murray was inducted as an honorary member of the Club by long serving executive member Bernadette King. The stars were presented with several gifts from each section of the Club during the evening of the stars which was followed by a cocktail reception.

Club president and acting President of the BCBC Keith Foster thanked both legends for sharing their time with the club and stated that the RHTY&SC was pleased to be associated with them.

Murray in response to being inducted as the latest honorary member of the club stated that he was privileged, describing the club as a unique and dynamic one which should be an example to others in the Caribbean.

He also declared that he would be taking back to Trinidad some visionary ideas he gained during a conducted tour of the Club’s facilities.

The RHTY&SC is expressing gratitude to Caribbean Airlines, Guyana Beverage Company, Reds Perriera Sports Foundation, Demerara Distillers Limited, Banks DIH Ltd, Peter Lewis Construction Ltd and Ansa McAl for their sponsorship of the Evening of Stars Programme.

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