Twitter Reactions: Cricketing universe pays tribute to Tony Cozier

One of the most popular voices of cricket commentary, Tony Cozier, passed away at the age of 75 at Barbados. The entire cricket fraternity is mourning the death of this gentleman from Barbados. Being seriously ill for the last couple of weeks, the West Indian commentator was kept under thorough supervision of the doctors at the Bayview Hospital in Beckles Road at Bridgetown, Barbados.

His son Craig Cozier, who was currently working as the television producer in the Indian Premier League, has flown back to Barbados to finish the last rituals of his father. Cozier is known as the ‘voice of the West Indies’ and is renowned to be the only commentator from the West Indies to tour Australia, England, India and New Zealand in the 1960s.

Cozier’s first stint as a Test match commentator on radio was during West Indies’ match against Australia in 1965. He was a member of the BBC’s Test Match Special commentary team. He has also commentated for the popular Channel Nine in Australia and was a member of the Sky Sports West Indian Cricket commentary team.

Cozier penned down The West Indies: 50 Years of Test Cricket that was published in the year 1978 with a foreword by the legendary Garfield Sobers. He was editor of The West Indies Cricket Annual for all its 22 editions. As a tribute to his contributions to cricket, the press box at the Kensington Oval has been named after him.

At his death, the cricket lovers and the entire cricket fraternity took to Twitter to express their sadness on the demise:

To say Cozier loved cricket would be shallow: it was his life. He gave to the game as much as he got from it.

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) May 11, 2016

RIP Tony Cozier.
Another great and knowledgeable commentator, leaves us..

— Fred Boycott (@FredBoycott) May 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/altcricket/status/730423223280648193

Desperate to report the passing of great family friend, Tony Cozier. Not enough room here to pay sufficient tribute. Will miss him hugely

— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) May 11, 2016

So shocked and saddened by the news of Tony Cozier passing, a wonderful man and distinguished broadcaster. #RIP

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) May 11, 2016

Tony Cozier has passed away. A class act as a commentator, journalist and man. A true man of cricket.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) May 11, 2016

Go well Tony Cozier. You adorned our game. You loved it like a child and a parent. You had respect. You had dignity. And you had love.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 11, 2016

Always felt, increasingly, that Tony Cozier was not only voice of WestIndies cricket but also the conscience. #cricket

— Guerilla Cricket (@guerillacricket) May 11, 2016

The voice was grand. But the passion was what got me. The man just wouldn't stop defending West Indies cricket or roaring at it to fix up.

— Vithushan (@Vitu_E) May 11, 2016

So so sad to hear of Tony Coziers passing. He was an absolute gentleman and a huge supporter of @CPL. A true legend of the game of cricket.

— Damien O'Donohoe (@daimo1) May 11, 2016

His voice will echo in my mind forever! Condolences to the Cozier family https://t.co/8bbVOJ7gds

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 11, 2016

The countless times when one fell asleep watching cricket from the Caribbean… only to be woken up by that beautiful voice #ripcozier

— Sidvee (@sidvee) May 11, 2016

Sad news about Tony Cozier. Encyclopaedic knowledge plus perception plus profound love for his country and sport. And, my word, that voice.

— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) May 11, 2016

So sorry to hear the great Tony Cozier has passed away. Peerless commentator and observer of the game. Much missed. Love to family. RIP TC

— mike selvey (@selvecricket) May 11, 2016

Goodbye Tony Cozier. You gave me hours of joy listening to you.

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) May 11, 2016

I'm devastated to say that the incredible, funny, kind, talented and thoughtful Tony Cozier has passed away

— Gemma Wright (@onewickedmaiden) May 11, 2016

As per the roster I went to take my seat as lead comm. Tony said ” No you sit here, I will never sit as an expert next to a test cricketer”

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 11, 2016