Former Caribbean wicketkeeper-batter David Murray passes away

In what comes as a shocking news, former  West Indies wicketkeeper-batter David Murray collapsed and passed away outside his Bridgetown residence on Saturday, November 26. He was 72. Murray was known for his excellent glovework behind the stumps during his playing days and is regarded as one of the best stumpers in the history of Caribbean cricket.

Despite having all the credentials of becoming a successful wicketkeeper, Murray only got limited opportunities at the international level having made just 19 Test and 10 One Day International appearances between 1973 to 1982.

West Indies legend David Murray no more

Cricket was in Murray’s blood as his father Everton Weekes was a former legendary West Indian batter. In fact, even David Murray’s son Ricky Hoyte played the game as a wicketkeeper-batter for Barbados in the 1990s.

Even though Murray happened to be an extremely talented gloveman, his drug addiction got the better of him as a result of which he was also on the verge of being thrown out from the 1975-76 Australia tour. However, it was only upon Lance Gibbs’ intervention that the team management decided to reconsider their decision.

Reportedly, Murray happened to be a cigarette smoker, and marijuana user from an early age and later on in his international cricketing career, he was addicted to cocaine.

Meanwhile, a lack of opportunities to represent the national team forced the late cricketer to join the West Indies rebel tours to South Africa and he had to face dire consequences for his actions as he received a lifetime ban in 1983.

His indisciplined lifestyle and decision to turn his back on the national cricket team were a few factors that ended up making his life miserable as he lived in extreme poverty in Bridgetown with no source of income and unable to find a stable job to make ends meet.

Reportedly, his health condition kept on deteriorating due to his heavy smoking and drug addiction. Murray scored three half-centuries in 19 Tests and also amassed a double century in first-class cricket.