Lequay: The best who never played for WI

De Souza passed away on Thursday after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer one month ago. He was 59.

“From a cricketing point of view, he was the best TT batsman that was not given the opportunity to play for the West Indies. He was in the class of the Davis brothers— Charlie and Bryan— and Joey Carew, all of whom were coached by the late Kelvin ‘Pa’ Aleong,” Lequay said.

“On an administrative point of view, Richard was invited in 1981 by Dave Francois to join the TTCB as treasurer and he served in that position until I retired in 2005.

“Richard was able to present an audited financial report each year. The land and building at the National Cricket Centre at Balmain, Couva, which is owned by the local board is because of the efforts of De Souza. He will be missed by all.”

Local board president Deryck Murray said that De Souza was extremely talented as a young cricketer and made his First Class debut at age 16. Murray said that he had the pleasure of playing with him in several matches.

“I was captain of the President’s team in 1967-68 and Richard was a member of that side. He had the potential to go on. We at the TTCB are obviously saddened by his passing. He has devoted many years of service to the TTCB and WICB for which we thank him.

“The board extends its deepest sympathy to his wife and three children,” said Murray, a former West Indies vice-captain.

Former TTCB president Ellis Lewis, who also served on the West Indies Cricket Board with De Souza from 1998 to 2003, said he was taken aback on hearing the sad news. “I felt a chill when I heard the news. Richard was someone for whom I had the greatest admiration both at the TTCB and WICB and as a friend,” Lewis said.

“He was very frank and made his views well known so that there was no doubt of his position. He was dedicated and sincere and served the board’s (TTCB and WICB) with great distinction