The greatest Caribbean captain, Clive Lloyd, has finally received his knighthood after the ceremony was delayed due to Covid.
Lloyd, born in Guyana, led the team from 1974 to 1985 and saw his team become the best in the world. Now 77, he was honored for his service to the game.
Lloyd, known as “The Cat” during his heyday due to his stunning athleticism on the pitch, also coached the West Indies and worked for the International Cricket Council.
The website www.espncricinfo.com perfectly summed up Lloyd’s illustrious career when he wrote: “An unsuccessful tour of Australia proved to be a major turning point in West Indian cricket, as Lloyd decided to adopt the intimidating tactics of Aussies and stack his team with fast bowlers.
“He instilled in his talented team the professionalism and determination to win consistently and when the conditions suited the opposition.” He united the disparate threads of the distinct nations that make up the West Indies and was the force that gelled them as a team rather than a group of talented individuals.
“His side also changed the way Test cricket was played, as other nations copied the formula of fast bowling and intimidation he had come to admire in Australia.”
“Lloyd’s final record as captain was remarkable, including a run of 26 Tests unbeaten and 11 successive wins. He also became the first West Indian to win 100 Test caps. From being a schoolboy in track and field, Chae became a brilliant cover fielder before knee problems forced him to switch to slides, where he bagged many of his 90 test catches.
Lloyd also led his side to one-day World Cup glory in 1975 and four years later.
