Joseph Stanislaus Solomon was born on August 26, 1930 in Port Mourant, Berbice, in British Guiana (now Guyana) – a small city that has coughed up greater than its share of Check cricketers together with Rohan Kanhai and Alvin Kallicharran.
Solomon solely made his first-class debut on the age of 26 and, whereas occurring to make helpful runs for the West Indies, by no means set the document books aflame.
Solomon performed 27 Checks for West Indies between 1958 and 1965, scoring 1326 runs at a median of 34. Although he was a late starter in first-class cricket, debuting at 26, he proved his credentials shortly, as his first three innings in first-class cricket have been centuries: 114 not out in opposition to Jamaica, 108 in opposition to Barbados, and 121 in opposition to the touring Pakistanis. From there, he was drafted straight into the West Indies squad to tour India; in his fourth Check, he scored an unbeaten 100 in Delhi, and averaged 117 within the collection.
Solomon, although, is maybe most remembered for his position within the tied Check in opposition to Australia on the Gabba in 1960. With six runs to win off the ultimate eight-ball over, and with three wickets remaining, Australia regarded set to steal an already dramatic Check. However with Richie Benaud and Wally Grout falling in fast succession, Australia have been left needing one run off two balls, with only one wicket remaining. Lindsay Kline, the final batter, nudged the subsequent ball to sq. leg and tried to steal a single, however Solomon’s dead-eye goal caught Ian Meckiff wanting his crease, ensuing within the first ever tied Check.
Chasing 233 to win the match, Australia had recovered from 92/6 to 226/6 because of what gave the impression to be a match-winning partnership between Alan Davidson and Richie Benaud.
Within the penultimate over, with seven wanted, an exhausted Davidson, who adopted his 11 wickets within the match with a fantastic 80, was run out going for a fast single.
The throw had are available like an arrow from Solomon at square-leg.
“Solomon’s accuracy, because it turned out, was a preview of what was to comply with,” wrote the West Indian journalist Tony Cozier.
Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of Cricket West Indies, paid tribute, saying,
“The outstanding contributions of Joe Solomon can be remembered not solely by these of their native Guyana but in addition by many throughout the West Indies.
“Joe Solomon stood among the many heroes of West Indies cricket. His iconic play – the pick-up, throw, and run-out of Ian Meckiff within the tied Check – stays an indelible second in our historical past. His dedication to the sport was evident in mentoring quite a few gamers, displaying his dedication to the game’s improvement. He was a real servant of the sport.”
