“We used to walk like Seymour bat like him and try to talk like him,” are the words of legendary West Indies batsman Desmond Haynes as he delivered the news of the Caribbean great who led the way, Seymour Nurse.
Described as a stylish right-handed batsman with an artistic and wristy action, Seymour MacDonald Nurse, passed away Monday evening at 85.
His contribution to the rich archives of West Indies and world cricket from 29 Tests between 1960 1nd 1969 was 2,523 runs at an average of 47.60, including six hundreds and 10 six half-centuries.
“My coach my mentor, we all from the Holders Hill area love this man,” Haynes said of his fellow Barbadian and former mentor.
“Thanks for everything you have done for me,” was Haynes’ tribute from one masterful batsman to another in words that fittingly represented emotions of the Caribbean.
In his passing Nurse left behind twin daughters Roseanne and Cherylanne, to cherish along with cricket lovers across the world the legacy of an extra-ordinary man.
The powerfully-built short batsman quit international cricket at age 35 pounding a New Zealand attack for 258 in his final salvo to register what remains today as the highest score by an international batsman in his farewell game.
Three years earlier on a West Indies tour of England he put together a total of 501 runs at an average of 62 with an innings top score of 137 at Headingley and 93 at Trent Bridge.
Following retirement, he served as a Barbados selector and coach and is credited with helping shape the career of Haynes and other WI players such as the late fast bowling terror, Malcolm Marshall.
Nurse also guided WI players Roland Holder, Ashley Nurse, Carlisle Best, Sherwin Campbell, Dwayne Smith and Pedro Collins.
