Gavaskar gives Ramadhin lecture

The event, which will be hosted by the campus’ Faculty of Social Sciences, is scheduled to begin at 7 pm.

The 56-year-old Gavaskar joins renowned Barbadian and WI cricket journalist Tony Cozier (2004) and Dr Ali Bacher, noted South African administrator (2005) who have presided at the forum.

Ramadhin, born in St Charles Village, South Trinidad in 1929, was an off-spinner teamed up with Jamaican left-arm spinner Alfred Valentine to demolish the English batsmen during their debut series in 1950.

Virtual unknowns before they were selected on the West Indies touring party, Ramadhin took 26 wickets at an average of 23.23 while Valentine had 33 at 20.42 in four Tests as the visitors prevailed 3-1.

The first person of East Indian descent to represent the Windies, Ramadhin was known for his dapper appearance, his shirt-sleeves always buttoned at the wrist while he bowled wearing a cap.

In 43 Tests — he bowed out after the memorable 1960/61 tour of Australia — Ramadhin captured 158 wickets at an average of 28.98 while, throughout his First-Class career (1950-1965), he snared 758 wickets in 184 matches at 20.24.

Ramadhin, who played for a number of years in Lancashire, England, now resides in the district but is currently suffering from both arthritis and diabetes.

Like Ramadhin, Gavaskar, nicknamed the “Little Master” and immortalised in calypso by Mighty Relator, also won the hearts of fans here in the West Indies, and throughout the world.

The compact right-handed opener, who made his Test debut during India’s 1971 tour to the Caribbean — the last time they won a Test series on these shores — was the first batsman to cross the 10,000-Test run barrier.

Sambit Bal on the CricInfo website says of the batting star: “His game was built around a near perfect technique and enormous powers of concentration.

“It is hard to visualise a more beautiful defence, virtually unbreachable, it made his wicket among the hardest to earn.” Bal continues: “He played with equal felicity off both front and back foot, had an excellent judgment of length and line and was beautifully balanced.

“He had virtually every stroke in the book but traded flair for the solidity his side needed more,” he added.

“He earned respect for Indian cricket and he taught his teammates the virtue of professionalism.”

In 125 Tests, he tallied 10,122 runs at an average of 51.12 with 34 centuries, 45 half-centuries and a top-score of 236 not out. His 34 hundreds was also a world record until it was eclipsed by his countryman Sachin Tendulkar last year.