Jack Noreiga bowled at 67

Former Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies off-spinner Jack Noreiga passed away at the Sangre Grande Hospital at 4 pm on Friday. Noreiga, who became a household name after his record breaking nine wickets for 95 runs against India at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain in 1971, was hospitalised after surgery recently to remove an obstacle from his intestines. The operation was a success but the 67-year-old experienced difficulty in recuperating and succumbed. Noreiga leaves to mourn nine children and seven grandchildren. Furneral arrangements are yet to be made but his daughter Jackie said yesterday the interment is tentatively set for Wednesday. “We are still awaiting the death certificate and once we have this in our possession we will decide what is the next move,” she said.

Former Test spinner Rangy Nanan, who was a very good friend of Noreiga, said it was tremendous loss for cricket in Trinidad and Tobago. “Jack was always willing to share his knowledge of the game and this made him different from others. Early on in my career when I decided to switch from fast bowling to off-spin bowling Jack helped me out. “I am happy to say that Jack made a really good impression on me. I am very sad to hear of his passing and wish his family all the best in their time of grief,” Nanan said. Second vice-president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), Dudnath Ramkeesoon was also saddened by Noreiga’s passing. ”I played with and against Jack and one thing I can say is that he was always jovial and ready to assist. Cricket in this country has been dealt a serious blow by his passing. At the time of his passing he was involved in the development of Moosai’s Sports Club and the youngsters there. He even took to the field earlier this year in the Second Division of the Carib National League and looked in good shape.

“He was heavily involved in coaching and his passing would definitely leave a void in domestic cricket. On behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), I would like to extend our sympathy to the family and may God richly bless him and give him a resting place,” Ramkeesoon said. Noreiga who lived at No 7 Ulex Drive, La Florisante, made his Test debut for the West Indies  against India at Sabina Park, Jamaica in the 1970/71 series. During the same series he grabbed nine wickets for 95 runs against India at the Queen’s Park Oval in front of his home crowd. His remarkable figures reads 49.4-16-95-9. In all Noreiga played four Tests and captured 17 wickets at an average of 29.00. In 27 First Class matches he nabbed 67 wickets at 29.67. Up until the last local cricket season Noreiga was attached to the Moosai’s Sports Club in El Dorado. He served as coach of the eastern team who are campaigning in the Carib National League Second Division.