Bernard Julien, the outstanding allrounder, who was a member of the West Indies team which won the 1975 Men’s Cricket World Cup, passed away on Saturday night in Trinidad. A family member confirmed with NATION online that he died at Valsayn in north-west Trinidad. He was 75.
A left-arm seam bowler and classy right-handed batsman, Juilen made his first-class debut at age 18 and his Test debut for West Indies at age 23 on the 1973 tour of England. During that series he made an immediate impression with a century at Lords, a superb 121 off 127 balls. He added a record partnership with Garfield Sobers who made 150 not out.
Sir Clive Lloyd, the legendary West Indies captain, hailed Julien as a vital member of the 1975 team which won the inaugural World Cup. “He always gave you ‘over 100 percent’. He never shirked his duties, and I could always rely on him with bat and ball. He gave his all every time … what a fine cricketer,” Lloyd said on Sunday morning.
“We all had total respect for him. He enjoyed himself and was loved by everyone around. I remember we won the Test match at Lords and stood there and signed autographs for a long time, He was good for us and was held in high regard everywhere we went.”
During the famous 1975 World Cup in England Julien claimed 4 for 20 in a Man-of-the-Match performance against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford and then 4 for 27 against New Zealand in the semi-finals at the Oval as West Indies reached the final against Australia. He went wicket-less in the final but scored a crucial 26 not out as West Indies won by 17 run. (PS)
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