Jacobs
PORT OF SPAIN, CMC:
FORMER WEST Indies vice-captain and wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs was honoured yesterday at the 10th Anniversary Vice Chancellor's match for his contribution to the growth and upliftment of regional cricket.
A citation read by Professor Dr Hilary Beckles, Principal of the Cave Hill Campus University of the West Indies in Barbados, said Jacobs' time at the crease was "long in coming, having arrived at the age of 31, but his occupation of that space was glorious, magnificent, and special for all of us who love this great game".
Professor Beckles said: "It is entirely fitting that we should celebrate and honour him here at the Sir Frank Worrell Oval".
"This is so because Ridley is a fully respected member of the tradition so spectacularly represented by Sir Frank. I refer to the tradition and the culture of the `gentleman player', a tradition we still respect and idealise," Professor Beckles stated.
Speaking during lunch time on the final day of the two-day match between the Vice Chancellor's XI and South Africa at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Grounds at the UWI Campus in St Augustine on Sunday, Professor Beckles added that: "Jacobs has been a skilful ambassador of this tradition, and in the most turbulent times, we see him standing with dignity, a man of impeccable character, of whom no ill word has ever been uttered".
"In our university especially, we thank him for being an advocate of discipline, concentration, focus, reliability and enduring dedication,",Professor Beckles added.
Jacobs, who played 65 Test matches, scoring 2,577 runs and effecting 219 dismissals (207 catches and 12 stumpings), also received a special award from the Mayor Murchinson Brown of the Port-of-Spain City Corporation.
Several cricket legends witnessed the presentation, including outstanding batsmen Sir Everton Weekes and Sir Clyde Walcott.
