Recognise both Michael Parris and Rohan Kanhai in a meaningful way

May 08, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,
I am writing in support of Mr. Freddie Kissoon’s call (KN/ 6/5/2022) for both Michael Parris and Rohan Kanhai to be recognised in a meaningful way. In Freddie’s words, “name something after these men”. In Parris’ case, he has been our lone medallist at the Olympics, something that we have not repeated in 40 years. There may be more than a few indictments to go around if an analysis were to be done for our less than spectacular showing at the Olympics. Many small islands have done much better than us. However, that is a story for another day. In this letter, I wish to deal with Rohan Kanhai if only because of two conversations I had this week. During this week, I came across an article from the Warwickshire County Cricket Club which I reproduce below. “It is the opinion of no less a judge than the great MJK Smith that Rohan Kanhai is up there with Brian Lara as the greatest batter ever to play for Warwickshire. Both were touched by genius and one factor with which Lara did not have to deal, which Kanhai did throughout his Bears career (1968-77) was uncovered pitches. Wet wickets made batting significantly more difficult, offering bowlers all sorts of help and requiring the greatest skill from batters. These were conditions that brought the best out of Kanhai, some of whose greatest innings were played when batting was at its most testing. The Bears’ championship visit to Old Trafford to face Lancashire in 1972 was a classic example. There had been, unusually for Manchester, rain around and the pitch was damp and green. Batting was tricky, as the Red Rose discovered when they went in first and scored 181. Kanhai then made 199 – one of the finest individual innings ever played for Warwickshire. A strong Lancashire batting side, including Clive Lloyd. David Lloyd, Barry Wood and Farokh Engineer, was bowled out in 62.1 overs as Steve Rouse took five for 47 (his maiden five-for) and Norman McVicker three for 48. The ball was doing plenty, as John Whitehouse soon discovered when Ken Shuttleworth sent it on to his stumps. That brought Kanhai to the crease and the master class began. Shuttleworth, Peter Lever and Peter Lee were a strong pace trio, backed up by the medium-paced bananas of Wood and the wily spin of Jack Simmons and David Hughes. All came alike to the great West Indian. The Bears were 50 for three when Kanhai was joined at the crease by his countryman Alvin Kallicharran. They added 152 and, after Kalli fell lbw to Simmons for 50, Kanhai climbed into even more spectacular attack. The ball was swinging and seaming but he defended with impeccable judgment and drove, cut and pulled with brutal power. Kanhai was just a single short of a scintillating double century when he edged ‘Leapy’ Lee to wicketkeeper Engineer. He was on 199 out of his team’s 347 for six. His genius lifted the Bears to 371 for seven declared, after which the Red Rose were bowled out for 149 (David Brown (five for 49, McVicker three for 35), leaving the Bears victorious by an innings and 41 runs.”
I sent this article to two friends, one a former diplomat who represented this country at the under 19 level and the other a highly accomplished medical doctor in Florida, who has also set up practice here. I share their responses. “MJK Smith should have put it the other way around: Brian Lara is up there with the greatest batter to ever play for Warwickshire, Rohan Kanhai” “He should be honoured in an impressive way before he dies”. Kanhai has been our forgotten genius. Time is not on our side. He really should be honoured in an impressive way.
Regards,
Bish Panday

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