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THE Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board joins the cricket fraternity both at home and abroad in mourning the passing of former national cricket captain and fast bowler Prince Bartholomew.
He was described an as outstanding servant of local cricket who had the distinction of being one of only four persons to take Trinidad and Tobago to the Shell Shield title, in the 1975-1976 season, when they shared the regional four-day competition honours with Barbados.
Bartholomew, 76, was born in San Juan and played First Class cricket from 1969 to 1978. He ended his 11-year regional career in 1979 with a record of 141 wickets and 1,598 runs in 57 matches, including nine fifties, his best being 95 not out.
He was also a member of the successful Paragon team that captured the national club championship three years running, from 1970-1972. In 1971, Bartholomew took four for 66 against Barbados led by Garry Sobers to help Trinidad and Tobago to a memorable five-wicket victory.
A fearsome opening bowler and dogged middle-order batsman, he had his most successful season with both bat and ball in 1970-71, scoring 325 runs at an average of 40.62, and taking 27 wickets at 21.96. In that season, he made vital contributions of 95 and 53, remaining not out on both occasions, and took six wickets for 70 runs to help T&T beat Guyana by 113 runs.
Captaining East Trinidad in the Beaumont Cup, he took five for 35, four for 29, two for 33, and two for 73, as well as top-scoring in the final with 82, to lead East Trinidad to the title in their first season in the competition.
Captaining North and East in their first match in the Beaumont Cup in 1975-76, he grabbed eight for 27, which remain the best figures in the competition. Bartholomew captained Trinidad and Tobago in the 1975-76 season, when they shared the Shell Shield title with Barbados, and led East Trinidad in most of their First-Class matches from 1971 to 1979.
On Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer of the TTCB, Suruj Ragoonath, extended heartfelt sympathies to the family of Bartholomew who he said will forever be remembered for his disclipine and commitment to always giving 100 percent on the field.
“In any era, Prince Bartholomew would have excelled because he possessed all the great qualities of an exceptional cricketer. He had the natural talent and showed the mental toughness to be competitive with the bat or ball in his hand, against any opponent,†said Ragoonath.
Off the field, Bartholomew was affable and approachable, and after he retired from the game passed on valuable knowledge from his vast experience to many young cricketers who cherished his easy-going manner and quick wit.
