Former West Indies wicketkeeper David Murray, who toured South Africa on the 1983 rebel tour, has died at the age of 72.
Murray played 19 Tests and 10 ODIs for the West Indies between 1978 and 1982 making three half-centuries.
The son of former West Indies great Everton Weekes, Murray’s opportunities were limited by his namesake Deryck Murray’s firm hold on the wicketkeeping position and it was Jeffrey Dujon who proved to be his long-term replacement.
The Barbadian received a life ban after taking part in a rebel tour of apartheid South Africa in 1983 for which he was paid $125,000. He never recovered from that decision and struggled with drug problems later in life.
Murray’s son Ricky Hoyte played for Barbados and West Indies A team also as a wicketkeeper.
CWI president Ricky Skerritt praised Murray’s skills behind the stumps.
“David was a gifted wicket-keeper and a stylish middle-order batsman. He loved the game of cricket, and played with a smile on his face,” he said.
“He will be remembered as a member of the great West Indies squad which dominated world cricket for over a decade. Devoted West Indies cricket fans still remember David’s fantastic glove work and footwork behind the stumps to Michael Holding and other members of the fearsome West Indies fast bowling attack of his time.”
© Agence France-Presse
