On his election to the Presidency of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster ledged to make sure that every hero in the county was recognised and honoured.
On Monday last, the BCB started the process by honouring West Indies Cricketing Legend Joseph Solomon at a simple function at the Albion Sports Complex.
In attendance were the forty Under-19 Cricketers invited to Berbice trials, Foster, Vice President/Chairman of the Selection Committee Albert Smith and Senior Coach Julian Moore.
Berbice 2017 National Under-19 Players presented Berbice Legend Joe Solomon with his awards.
Foster in remarks at the simple ceremony stated that it was important to remember those who laid the foundation to plan for the future. He described Solomon as a Berbice Legend who was not only a brilliant cricketer but also someone who contributed a great deal as an Administrator. Solomon, the fifth Berbician to play Test Cricket after John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher and Ivan Madray was widely remembered as a fielder who effected the run out to earn West Indies a tie in the famous Test Match in Australia in 1960. He scored 1326 runs in 27 Test Matches. His highest test score 100 not out was his only test century while he also had nine half centuries while his part time leg spin earned four test wickets.
Overall, Solomon a product of the vintage Port Mourant Cricket Club played 104 First Class Matches scoring 5318 runs with 12 centuries and 27 half centuries. He ended his First Class career in 1968 and later served the game as an outstanding administrator. He is also fondly remembered as a Cricket Coach for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco). The Cricket Board President told Solomon that Berbice would forever be indebted to him, Rohan Kanhai, John Trim, Ivan Madray and Basil Butcher for placing the Ancient County of Berbice in the 1950’s and for inspiring the following generation of players like Roy Fredericks and Alvin Kallicharran to follow in their footsteps. He noted that under the brother Keith’s Presidency, the BCB introduced the Tribute to Heroes, Berbice All Time XI, Hall of Fame Programme to make sure that every hero is honoured and his administration would continue the tradition.
Vice President Smith also hailed the contribution of the Berbice Legend. Smith, a highly decorated Cricket Coach stated that he heard a lot from Solomon while working together and told the attentive Berbice Under-19 Players that they were privileged to be in the presence of a truly outstanding Berbician. Like Foster, the Smith pledged to make sure that every hero is honoured while the BCB works hard to return Berbice Cricket to its former glory.
Solomon expressed gratitude to the Berbice Cricket Board and its hard working President for honouring him. He stated that he is humbled by the gesture and that it id s honour to be recognised for his services to the Gentleman’s game. He praised the work of the current Cricket Board and predicted that good times are ahead for Berbice Cricket. He spoke directly to the players, advising them to practice with a plan in mind and to always aim for the highest standard.
The Berbice Cricket Board presented Solomon with a Tribute to Hero Trophy, Medal and two publications on Berbice Cricket.
