Frank Worrell had the numbers to vindicate his place in the pantheon of greats but it was his remarkable leadership skills and talismanic personality which stood out, dispelling the darkness that had spread like children on the ground during recess. Shattering racial barriers, Frank Worrell became the first black captain to lead West Indies in a full Test series. He deserves a huge chunk of credit for unifying West Indies and laying the foundation for the all conquering Caribbean era. Worrell was instrumental in bringing the best out of Sobers and Kanhai even before he was named captain.

He was a solid batsman with an unequivocally perfect technique and a still head directing all the operations. In 51 Tests, Worrell tallied 3860 runs at an average close to 50. His finest score of 261 arrived against England as West Indies romped to a 10-wicket victory. Worrell was a handy bowler to boot as evidenced by his 69 scalps.

In a gentlemanly gesture in 1962, Frank Worell was the first player from either teams to donate blood for Nari Contractor, who copped a potential career-threatening injury after a Charlie Griffith bumper struck the Indian captain flush on his head.

As fate had it Worell ironically died a premature death because of leukemia. To commemorate the Jamaican's humane contribution during the West Indies- India Test series, CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) since 1981 has been conducting a blood donation camp on its foundation day, known as Frank Worrell day.

Post retirement is it known that Worrell was appointed to the Jamaican Senate by Sir Alexander Bustamante. Worthily, Frank Worell received knighthood for his services to cricket in 1964.

Interesting facts:
1. Sir Frank Worrell was the first of the two batsmen to have been involved in two 500-run partnerships in first-class cricket.
2. Since 1960-61 ,the Australia-West Indies Test series was named after him with the two teams colliding for the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.

By Deivarayan Muthu