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Clive Lloyd

Clive Lloyd at 'Idea Champions Of The World' press meet
Clive Lloyd at 'Idea Champions Of The World' press meet Image: Wikimedia Commons. Bollywood Hungama / CC BY 3.0

Overview

Sir Clive Hubert Lloyd (born 31 August 1944) is a Guyanese-British former cricketer who captained the West Indies cricket team from 1974 to 1985. Widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in the history of the game, Lloyd presided over the rise of the West Indies into one of the most dominant Test and One Day International sides of the 20th century. Under his leadership, the West Indies won the 1975 Cricket World Cup and the 1979 Cricket World Cup, and were runners-up at the 1983 Cricket World Cup.

Key facts

Full name Clive Hubert Lloyd
Born 31 August 1944
Nationality Guyanese-British
Batting Middle-order batsman
Bowling Occasional medium-pace
Height 6 ft 5 in
Test debut 1966
Test runs 7,515 (average 46.67)
Test sixes 70
West Indies captain 1974–1985
Domestic teams Guyana, Lancashire
Honours Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1971); ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2009); Knight Bachelor (2020)

Background

Born in Guyana, Lloyd grew up to become a tall, powerfully built batsman known for his stooping shoulders at the crease. He wore glasses throughout his career, the result of an eye injury sustained in childhood when he was poked in the eye with a ruler. In his early years he was also a strong fielder at cover point.

Playing career

International debut and early years

Lloyd made his Test debut for the West Indies in 1966. In 1971, he was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year. He was the first West Indian player to take a wicket with his first ball on ODI debut, and later became the first West Indian to earn 100 international caps.

Captaincy of the West Indies (1974–1985)

Lloyd took over as captain of the West Indies in 1974. Under his leadership, the team won the inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975, with Lloyd himself scoring a century in the final. The West Indies retained the title at the 1979 World Cup, before losing the 1983 World Cup final to India.

In Test cricket, Lloyd's side put together a run of 27 matches without defeat, which included 11 successive victories. Viv Richards acted as captain for one of those 27 matches, against Australia at Port of Spain in 1983–84.

Domestic cricket

Lloyd represented his home nation of Guyana in West Indies domestic cricket. In England, he played for Lancashire, and was appointed captain of the county in 1981.

Test career statistics

Lloyd scored 7,515 runs in Test cricket at an average of 46.67. He struck 70 sixes in Tests, the 20th-highest tally by any player.

After retirement

Following his retirement as a player, Lloyd remained closely involved with the game. He managed the West Indies team in the late 1990s, and has worked as a coach and commentator. He served as an ICC match referee from 2001 to 2006.

Honours and recognition

  • Wisden Cricketer of the Year (1971)
  • Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (2009)
  • Knighted in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to cricket

Significance

Lloyd is regarded as a transformative figure in West Indian cricket, having shaped a side that dominated international cricket for over a decade. His tenure established the template of fast-bowling-led, disciplined West Indies teams, and his record as a Test captain remains among the most successful in the sport's history.

References