Frank O Mason passes

Former St Vincent and the Grenadines fast bowler Frank Odel Mason died on Tuesday night at the age of 85.{{more}}

One of the region’s most feared fast bowlers, Mason, unfortunately, never played for the West Indies, as at that time, he along with the “small islanders” fell victim to the stigma which existed.

Apart from playing cricket, Mason was a sprinter, a footballer and high jumper as a student of the St. Vincent Grammar School.

But Mason had a fairy tale beginning to his cricketing career. In his early years at the Grammar School, Mason was prevented from bowling fast as no wicket keeper was prepared to remain behind the stumps for fear of conceding too many byes.

Mason was even warned that he would not have been allowed to play cricket for the team, if he did not stop bowling as fast as he did at the time.

For a short period, Mason turned to spin bowling.

Mason, who was born in Barrouallie on July 26, 1926, but spent some time living in Georgetown, was first selected to the St Vincent national Cricket team in 1946, but had to resort to being the 12th man, a position which almost caused him to quit the sport.

In 1948, Mason demolished St Lucia, taking 8 for 14 and 6 for 10 for match statistics of 14 for 24. It was reported that the St Lucians appealed for light at 3.00 pm, fearing Mason’s speed.

In 1956, he was elevated to the post of captain of the national Cricket team and held this position until he retired in 1962.

In the same year, 1956, Mason was installed as captain of the Windwards team and the Windwards/Leewards team, which later became known as the Combined Islands.

Mason had two occasions on which he was called up for trials for possible selection to the West Indies, but on both counts, did not make the final cut.

On the first instance in Guyana, John Trimm was preferred to him.

The second time around in Trinidad, the legendary West Hall got the nod over Mason.

However, Mason was credited with dismissing former West Indies star batsman and captain, Frank Worrell twice in the second trial match and was given the ball as a recognition for his achievement.

Mason’s best international figures were achieved against an Indian touring team in St Kitts, when he took 8 for 45.

In Mason’s final match for St Vincent, played at the Victoria Park against Dominica, he was given a mixed send off.

In the first innings, Mason got no wickets, and it was reported that the crowd jeered him, and called him “old”.

However, in Dominica’s second innings, Mason returned with the amazing figures of 9 for 13, from 13 overs, three of which were maidens.

And, as expected, he had the crowd cheering him for his heroics, but he bowed out gracefully, without accepting the “honour” of being hoisted as a hero.(RT)