Two Vincy First Class Cricketers: A Tribute
Wilfred Norris Slack (“Wilf”, “Slacky”) and Neil FetzGerald Williams (“Nellie”) are names that are recorded in the Wisden cricket annals, but forgotten by many Vincentians. Both of these fine Vincentian cricketers were unfortunately “clean bowled” short of their half-centuries – they each died in the prime of life.
Wilf, or Slacky as Wilfred Slack was fondly known was born in the village of Troumaca, while Neil Williams (nicknamed Nellie) hailed from Hopewell. At the age of 34 Wilfred Slack collapsed and died while batting in Banjul, capital of The Gambia, on January 15, 1989. It is said that he had suffered four blackouts in the field or in the nets in the two previous years. Several years later on March 27, 2006 Neil Williams died at age 43 after a short battle against pneumonia.
Fast Facts about Wilfred Norris Slack:
Born December 12, 1954, Troumaca, St. Vincent
Played for the county of Middlesex in England (1977-1988)
Played for the Windward Islands (1981-82 and 1982-83)
Played three test matches for England (1985 and 1986)
Played two one-day-internationals (ODI’s) for England (1985-86)
Left-hand opening batsman
Right-arm medium-pace bowler
In 237 first-class games he scored 13,950 runs at 38.96, with 25 centuries, and took 21 wickets at 32.76
For more detailed information on Wilf Slack’s first-class cricket career, visit:
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/20206.html
Fast Facts about Neil FetzGerald Williams:
Born July 2, 1962, Hopewell, St. Vincent
Played for the counties of Middlesex (1982-1994) and Essex (1995-1998) in England
Was one of the “Jackson Five” Caribbean-born English-qualified cricketers. The others were Wilf Slack, Roland Butcher, Wayne Daniel and Norman
Cowans
Played for Tasmania during one winter season (1983-1984)
Played for the Windward Islands during three winter seasons
Played one test match for England (1990)
Right-hand batsman
Right-arm fast-medium-pace bowler
For more detailed information on Neil Williams’ first-class cricket career, visit:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/22453.html