by Arunabha Sengupta
No one knew his name. Hence, he was called Boy and thereafter Sonny. No one could make out how to play him. Including Clarence Skinner, who faced him in a club match. So, he was invited to the Trinidad trial match. He did well enough. Pitchforked into the two match inter-island series against Jamaica, he captured 12 wickets. Sonny Ramadhin, just about to turn 21, was on his way to England with just two first-class matches under his belt. He never had any coaching.
Cricket lovely Cricket
At Lord's where I saw it
Cricket lovely Cricket
At Lord's where I saw it
Yardley tried his best
But Goddard won the test
They gave the crowd plenty fun
Second Test and West Indies won
With those two little pals of mine,
Ramadhin and Valentine
For Alf Valentine too, those were the only two first-class matches before his England trip. But, unlike Ramadhin he was coached. Jack Mercer, former Sussex, Glamorgan and Northants player, said: “I knew from the first time I saw him that he was going to be a winner.” In the first inter-island match Andy Ganteaume hit 147, Jeff Stollemeyer 261, Ken Trestrall 161. Valentine had 2 for 190 from the two matches. But, the selectors had faith. 20-year-old Valentine was also on his way.
The King was there well attired
So they started with Rae and Stollmeyer
Stolly was hitting balls around the boundary
But Wardle stopped him at twenty
Rae had confidence
So he put up a strong defence
He saw the King was waiting to see
So he gave him a century
With those two little pals of mine,
Ramadhin and Valentine
Ramadhin bowled with his sleeves rolled down. The ball could turn either way, with very little change in action. He became the first East Indian to play Test cricket for West Indies.
Valentine bowled left-arm orthodox, and was short sighted. No one knew it yet, but midway through the series, when asked the score he could not read the giant figures on the scoreboard. He started wearing glasses. It made him look anything but a cricketer, did not alter his bowling, and he remained as lousy as ever with the bat.
Their debut Test at Old Trafford was not a happy one for West Indies. Defeat by 202 runs. But Valentine had 8 for 104 and 3 for 100. Precursor of things to come. Ramadhin 2 for 90 and 2 for 77. Lull before the storm.
West Indies first innings total was three-twenty-six
Just as usual
When Bedser bowled Christiani
The whole thing collapsed quite easily
England then went on
And made one-hundred-fifty-one
West Indies then had two-twenty lead
And Goddard said, "That's nice indeed”
With those two little pals of mine,
Ramadhin and Valentine
Then there was Lord’s. Rae 106, Worrell 52, Weekes 63. West Indies 326. As it says in the song. And then the two little pals were unleashed on the English batting. Ramadhin 5 for 66 from 43 overs. Valentine 4 for 48 from 45. West Indies led by 175.
Yardley wasn't broken-hearted
When the second innings started
Jenkins was like a target
Getting the first five in his basket
But Gomez broke him down
While Walcott licked them around
He was not out for one-hundred and sixty-eight
Leaving Yardley to contemplate
The bowling was superfine,
Ramadhin and Valentine
Roly Jenkins, Johnny Wardle, Bob Berry. England had three spinners and rather good ones. But Walcott was majestic. 168 not out. And then Ram and Val were at it again. Washbrook did get a hundred, but the two young bowlers wheeled on.
West Indies was feeling homely
Their audience had them happy
When Washbrook's century had ended
West Indies voices all blended
Hats went in the air
They jumped and shouted without fear
So at Lord's was the scenery
Bound to go down in history
After all was said and done,
Second Test and the West Indies won
Ramadhin 6 for 86 from 72 overs. Valentine 3 for 79 from 71. The West Indian spectators rushed into the ground, armed with guitars and elated voices, rendering immortal the calypso attributed to Lord Beginner.
With those two little pals of mine,
Ramadhin and Valentine
They continued the saga. 10-wicket win at Trent Bridge. In the second innings Ramadhin 81.2-25-135-5, Valentine 92-49-140-3. Incredible displays of line and length, skill and stamina.
The bowling was superfine,
Ramadhin and Valentine
And then at The Oval. Even Len Hutton carrying the bat with 202 was not enough.
Ramadhin 1 for 63 and 3 for 38. Valentine 4 for 121 and 6 for 39.
West Indies triumphed 3-1.
In the Tests Ramadhin had 26 wickets at 23.23, Valentine 33 at 20.42. They captured 59 of the 77 wickets taken by West Indies.
In the tour, Ramadhin 135 wickets at 14.88 in 1053 overs. Valentine 123 at 17.94 in 1190 overs.
With those two little pals of mine,
Ramadhin and Valentine
Valentine was the first West Indian bowler to capture 100 Test wickets. He finished his career with 139. He averaged 42 overs per innings.
Ramadhin ended with 158 wickets at 28.98. Clocking at 40 overs per innings.
Both were overbowled. Both were wrung to their limits. Both gave their all. And both kept smiling. Ramadhin was born on May 1, 1929. Valentine on April 28, 1930
Those two little pals of mine,
Ramadhin and Valentine
Illustration Maha