17 Interesting facts you need to know about Clive Lloyd

17 Interesting facts you need to know about Clive Lloyd: Whenever someone takes the name of the former West Indies great Clive Lloyd, we get the picture of a 6 feet 4 inches tall giant with thick glasses and a large moustache which personifies his astute character. Lloyd was renowned as one of the most demolishing batsmen of his time and his strong physical built-up helped him tear apart the opponent bowlers with utmost ease.

His flamboyance was ever so evident in his leadership as well and his shrewd tactics as the skipper of the side, transformed his West Indies into an invincible side. There was a time when the name of the West Indies team was enough to create panic in the hearts and minds of the opponent sides.

Today on his 71st birthday, we list 17 Interesting facts you need to know about Clive Lloyd:

1. Clive Lloyd made his first-class debut in the British Guiana in 1963-64. He also played for Haslingden in the Lancashire League in 1967.

2. In 1968, Lloyd made his debut for the English County side Lancashire. Earlier, the Warwickshire side had also shown interest in signing Lloyd though he rejected the offer.

3. He made his Test debut against India on a spinning track at Mumbai in December 1966 and stroked 82 and 78 runs respectively which helped his side to win the match.

4. In his debut Test match at home in Trinidad, Clive scored 118 runs against England, it was his first Test century as well.

5. He was the first West Indian cricketer to play 100 Test matches.

6. Lloyd led his side to World Cup victory in 1975 and 1979 respectively while his side had to bite the dust against the belligerent Indian side in the World Cup Final of 1983.

7. He had hammered a match winning century in the 1975 Cricket World Cup Final against Australia. Lloyd was adjudged player of the match for the 85 ball 102 run knock. He had come to the crease at a time when his side was reeling at 50/3.

8. The southpaw is hailed as one of the greatest Test captains ever and there was a time when in 27 matches, West Indies had not lost a single Test match which included 11 wins in succession as well.

9. Overall, he played 110 Test matches and amassed 7,515 runs at an average of 46.67 with 19 centuries while in 87 ODI’s Clive scored 1,977 runs at an average of 39.54 with one ton.

10. Clive Lloyd wears thick glasses and there is a history behind it as well. During his school days when he was only 12, he had attempted to break up a fight and got poked in the eye with a ruler which damaged his eyes.

11. In 1985, Lloyd was made an honorary Officer of the Order of Australia as he had made immense contributions in the development of the game in Australia.

12. In 1971, Clive Lloyd was named the Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

13. The West Indian great had offered his patronage to Major League Cricket for their inaugural Interstate Cricket Cup in 2007. It was held in the United States (US). It was named as the Sir Clive Lloyd Cup.

14. Lloyd’s authorised biography, Supercat, was published in 2007.

15. Lloyd is the cousin of great West Indian spinner Lance Gibbs who had taken 309 Test wickets. Though, his father was not related to the game in any capacity whatsoever.

16. Although, Lloyd retired from international cricket in 1985 but it has not impacted his involvement in the game.He has been active in West Indies Cricket Board since then apart from donning the hat of coach and commentator. Between 2001 and 2006, he also served as the ICC match referee.

17. His son Jason Clive Lloyd is a goalkeeper for the Guyana national football team.