Jack, unsung hero

OUR COUNTRY should weep for ex-Test cricketer Jack Noreiga not simply because it has lost one of its sporting heroes but more so because he has gone to his grave without the honour and support he richly deserved. We should hang our heads in shame over the fact that Jack, who did us proud at the Oval in 1971 when he claimed nine wickets for 95 runs in the first innings against India, died a virtual pauper on Friday at the Sangre Grande hospital following an operation for colon cancer. It is a sad irony that Jack passed away unrecognised and unsung at this district hospital while the brilliant record he set for WI Test bowlers remains standing after 22 years. In one inning, Jack single-handedly demolished the Indian side with his mesmerising off-spin, taking the wickets of such batting stars as Sunil Gavaskar, Salim Durani, Sardesai Duleep, Ed Solkar and captain Agit Wadekar. It was an achievement made all the more remarkable because Jack, then 35, was playing in his first Test match at an age when many cricketers decided call it quits. Actually, Jack was called to the WI team to fill a gap during one of Lance Gibbs’ bad patches. His is a feat that may never be equalled by a WI Test bowler, but tragically we never honoured Jack for it, we never sought to express our appreciation in any tangible way, the cricketing fraternity organised no benefits for him even when, in his declining years, the ex-Test cricketer had fallen on sorry times.

The country as a whole must take the blame for this tragic omission since Jack was a national hero; he belonged to TT, he represented us at the highest level of the game and, although his Test career was relatively fleeting, he made us proud by that one magnificent spell of spin bowling at the Oval against a formidable Indian side 22 years ago. He was summoned to serve the West Indies in a kind of crisis and he delivered. Unbelievably, no one agitated to honour Jack with a national award. No one petitioned the State to assist him during his years of need. Indeed, Jack suffered the final indignity when, needing an urgent operation to treat the cancer destroying his colon, he was rejected by the authorities at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and had to go to Sangre Grande because he did not have the funds for private treatment. Although he dabbled unsuccessfully in horse racing after his brief Test career, Jack never abandoned his love for cricket. He was always willing to impart his bowling skills to younger players and even towards the end of his life he was active in the game as manager-coach of Moosai Sports Club. Earlier this season, Jack donned his cricketing clothes to substitute for an absent player when Moosai met Couva Sports in the National Division II at Tacarigua. He was still able to deliver his off-spin magic by taking three of Couva's top wickets.

Jack was a credit to the game both on and off the field. Former Test players who spoke at his funeral service at the Santa Rosa Church recalled his optimistic and encouraging spirit. Jack was always a pleasure to have in the dressing room, said Willie Rodriguez. "He always made the day bright, regardless of how much difficulty we went through on the field. There were always words of encouragement coming from him. He was a great team man, a joy to play with, and I think his 9/95 against India expresses the extent of his ability." Jack Noreiga's life has serious lessons for us. We still have to learn how to treat, indeed cherish, our national heroes.