West Indies World Cup hero Bernard Julien has died

Former Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies all-rounder Bernard Julien has died at the age of 75.

Julien was a victorious member of the West Indies 1975 ICC Cricket World Cup squad.

Julien claimed 4 for 20 in a Man of the Match performance against Sri Lanka and 4 for 27 against New Zealand as the West Indies stormed into the final.

After making his First Class debut for T&T aged 18, Julien’s international career started at age 23 in 1973, when he scored 121 in just his third test match from 127 deliveries and shared in a 150-run partnership with Garry Sobers against England at Lord’s.

He played 24 Tests with 866 runs at an average of 30.92 and bagged 50 wickets at 37.36 for the West Indies. He appeared in 12 One-Day Internationals and scored just 86 runs at 14.33 to go along with 18 wickets at an average of 25.72.

Cricket West Indies, reflecting on Julien’s career, said, “The passing of Bernard Julien invites reflection on both the brilliance of his cricketing life and the complex times through which he lived. Bernard Julien was one of the quiet legends of the 1975 World Cup…

“His skill and composure were central to that victory. He took four for 20 against Sri Lanka, four for 27 against New Zealand, and a vital 26 not out (in the final) that helped seal the championship.”

Sir Clive Lloyd, the legendary West Indies captain, also hailed Julien as a vital member of the 1975 team, which won the inaugural World Cup.

“He always gave you ‘over 100 %’. 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.

“We all had total respect for him. He enjoyed himself and was loved by everyone around. I remember we won the Test match at Lord’s and stood there and signed autographs for a long time. He was good for us and was held in high regard everywhere we went.”