Latest update August 9th, 2026 12:45 AM
Jul 29, 2026 Sports
(Kaieteur News) – Statistician Charwayne Walker has informed Kaieteur Sport that former national cricketer Sydney Matthews has passed away in the USA yesterday. Matthews made is first class debut for Guyana in 1970 vs Jamaica at Sabina Park and as fast bowler he was one of three Guyanese that toured with the first West Indies Under19 team to the UK in 1970. The others were Gopie Beasmonie and Kennedy Venkasammy. Sydney Matthews first came to prominence playing for the Faoud Bacchus led East Bank Upper Demerara team in the school boys all age finals in 1967 against East Coast.
Walker notes, that, He represented the West Indies President Eleven against New Zealand in 1972 at Sabina Park.
Although Matthews started as a fast bowler, he took his career First Class best as a leg spinner, 6 for 76 vs Trinidad and Tobago at the Queen’s Park Oval in 1987 when the Roger Harper led Guyana team won the last Shell Shield tournament.
Walker further pointed out, that Matthews started his first division career with East Bank, but his most productive years at that level was at the Demerara Cricket Club and the Guyana Defence Force
He played three years for Guyana at the Regional under19 level, 1969 Trinidad, 1970 Guyana and 1971 in Jamaica when he was the captain. His 7 for 41 vs Barbados was the first 7-wicket haul for Guyana at the youth level.
Matthews won three regional first class championships for Guyana. 1971 under Rohan Kanhai, 1977 under Sir Clive Lloyd and 1987 under Roger Harper.
His son Ron Matthews followed in his footsteps. Ron represented the West Indies Under19 and Guyana like his father.

The late Sydney Matthews (back row 2nd left) with the 1987 victorious Roger Harper led Guyana Shell Shield team.
Sydney Matthews was also a highly sought-after professional in English league cricket.
The Demerara Cricket Club mourns the passing of Sydney Matthews and extends heartfelt condolences to his family and the cricket fraternity.
Being born January 22, 1952 at Prospect, West Bank, Demerara, British Guiana Sydney Jackson Matthews was 74 years, 187 days old and he played 41first class matches from 1970 to 1988.
He was a Right-handed Batsman who also bowled Right arm Fast medium and the Legbreak Googly.
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