Alvin Kallicharran...A West Indies Cricket Legend

Alvin Kallicharran was a small orthodox West Indian middle order batsman, he was full of poise and balance. He also had a full range of strokes off either front or back foot. He made his Test debut in the 1972 home series against New Zealand at Georgtown. He had an incredible start to his career scoring 100 not-out in his first Test and went on to make another ton 101 in the fifth and final Test in that series. Kallicharran class was evident from early in his Test career with six centuries in his first twenty two Test matches.

During the Packer controversy Kallicharran signed to play in world series cricket; hoever he soon withdrew on the advice of his Australian agent, a Mr David Lord. After with drawing from the Packer contract Kallicharran was made captain of the West Indies in the 1978 home series against the touring Australians after Clive Lloyd  resign in solidarity with his sack players. 

Many regard his 158 against England in Port of Spain in 1973-4 as his finest innings; however this innings was shrouded in controversy.  Kallicharran had batted beautifuly on the first day for 142 , he back up at the non-striker end and watched as Bernard Julian played the last ball of the day to Tony Greig at Silly Point, never returning to his crease Kallicharran continued  on his way to the pavillion. Greig threw down the bowlers stumps and Kallicharran was given out by Douglas Sang Hue only to be reinstated next morning after the mood of the tour had been soured.

Alvin Kallicharran along with Lawrence Rowe formed what was a dynamic middle order pair for West Indies, between 1972 and 1980. Kallicharran retire from Test cricket in 1981 having scored 4,399 runs at an average of 44.43

Alvin Kallicharran Test Cricket Statistics