Victor “Yaga” Eddy

 

“Although St. Kitts has seen international cricket in the past with touring teams like India and Australia it certainly will be a good thing for this generation of cricketers to see test cricket live. St. Kitts has not had a player represented on the senior test squad so I trust that a match of this nature would lift their aspirations and hope that they learn quickly so sooner than later we will get some one on the team”. Quote from Victor Eddy April 2006

Victor Eddy’s best chance at a test selection came in 1977-78 when he was on the top of his game. At that time he was a consistent member of the Leewards and Combined Islands playing first class cricket at the regional level. His record when compared today would have easily gotten him in the test team. He had five (5) regional centuries with a highest score of 131 against Jamaica.  One would recall that this period was one of turmoil for West Indies cricket when the Multi-Millionaire Kerry Packer contracted some of the West Indies top players for World Series Cricket. Thus West Indies team then reflected those who were knocking at the doors of the team for a while and his was not answered, his place when to some lesser mortal.

Victor not only showed potential as a youngster but delivered. At the age of 18 he captained and led a St. Kitts team comprising Len Harris, Rosevelt  Broadbelt, Steve Laplace, Leonard Williams, Denzil “Tah” Caines, Charles Wilkin, Hiller Browne Jumbies Williams to victory at the Leewards Island level defeating teams like Antigua, Nevis and Montserrat.

For three straight years he was the Combined Islands youth team captain then was drafted into the senior side at age 19. His achievements were crown with the award of the Sir Frank Worrell trophy for the most outstanding youth player. It was therefore no surprise when he was included in the Young West Indies 6 weeks tour to England. What was surprising was that he was not given the captaincy but instead went as second in command to Collin Murray of Trinidad and Tobago.

In reflection Victor could recall that Elquemedo Willett was one of the most difficult spin bowlers that he faced.  “As a left arm Orthodox bowler Willette (Elquemedo) was the difficult to play” he said. At the regional level the spinners that created great challenge were Inshan Ali and David Holford. Of the pace bowlers; it was Malcolm Marshall that stood out in his mind. He described Marshall’s Run up as deceptive revealing nothing and the pace generated from that run up unbelievable.

Garner, Holding, Croft and Wayne Daniel also presented problems but for Eddy Marshall was the most difficult to handle.

Eddy also developed the art of off spin coupled with a number of drifters that earned him a distinction as an all rounder at least at the regional level. His best bowling figures was 7 for 28 back in 1978 against Antigua in a Leewards game.

As if to prove the selectors wrong, Eddy flourished against a touring India team in 1981 with a spanking 91 with world class spinners like Guykward  and Chandrashaka at their best. Three years later he met Iqbal Quadir in a league in Ashington, England and roughed him up, striking him for three 4’s in one over on his way to 28 not out. For Quadir this was not a customary thing at any level. Eddy went on to break Rohan Khanai’s record of 1147 runs in one season to scoring 1340 runs.

Eddy also offered words of advice to youngsters in the lime light now. “You have got to find ways to do a lot of individual work. The phrase the fitter you are the better you are has been tried and proven numerous times. So the onus is on you to develop and stick to a consistent training routine. Find a few friends who wouldn’t mind bowling to you or vice versa for 1-2 hours a day and definitely results would show.” Eddy indicated.

I guess what he was saying in a nutshell was that physical fitness leads to mental toughness and when the two combine one is able to concentrate for longer periods. This translates to fewer mistakes and more runs.

One final note of advice to these same youngsters you have got to dominate the league that you are playing in starting at the local level and this will spill over into the sub regional competition. Eddy concluded.

Prior to that however Eddy gave his assessment of the new Warner Park track

It is a fair wicket and one can be very competitive. It has enough in it to encourage bowlers and it is also equally good for batting. This means that a player can get a double is he wants while bowlers can bag a five wicket haul as well.

Cricket profile

Teams play for St. Kitts 1972 -1990

Combined Islands and Leewards 1974-1988

Batting memories

• After Combined islands was reduced to  11 for 3 by Trinidad Eddy and Irvin Shillingford shared in a 200 run partnership that not only revived the innings but allowed Combine Islands victory in that game
• Sharing in a partnership of over 200 runs with Viv Richards. Viv scored over 150 and Eddy got 58. The hallmark of that innings was when Eddy hooked Joel Garner for 6 into the 3W’s stand.

Bowlers that got his respect

• Pace:    Malcom Marshall

Garner , Croft, Wayne Daniel

• Spin     Willett

Davd Holford. Insha

Proud moment

• Walking out with Logic Williams at Warner Park age 18 and captain of the St. Kitts team

Most underrated player:

• Noel Guishard.

Guish was much better than the little praise that he got. He could have been there (in the West Indies side as well as a genuine all rounder

On the down low

• Captaincy taken form him after a successful year in 1973
• Not being called in 1977 -1978 for the West Indies
• Mc Parris “Picking up” a catch behind the wicket in a sub regional game.

What is he doing now?

Eddy was appointed as chairman of the Leewards Islands selector for the 2005 season. He is also a radio commentator who gives expert comments during regional and sub regional games.

Prior to that Eddy played at the division 1 level for Haynesmith guiding several youngsters along including his own son.