As world cricket today celebrates the birth centenary of leader of leaders Worrell, the great West Indian’s connection with India ran deep before he passed away at the age of 42 in 1967

Frank Worrell in action during the 1963 tour of England, where he captained West Indies to a 3-1 series win over the hosts. Pic/Getty Images

With entertainment occupying prime space in world cricket’s present canvas, it’s never a bad idea to acknowledge the fathers of this particular aspect in the willow game.

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Today marks the birth centenary of one of them—Sir Frank Worrell, whom the late Australian cricket historian Jack Egan called a saint and the Nelson Mandela of cricket.

Worrell was one part of the captaincy pair which helped foster attractive play when Test cricket—at least in Australia—was marred by boring draws towards the end of the 1950s.

Of course, the man who stressed on the need to entertain was batting legend Sir Don Bradman, then a key functionary of the Australian Cricket Board. Worrell was captain of the West Indies team undertaking their third Test tour to Australia, who were led by Richie Benaud. Both captains agreed with Bradman’s view and what emerged was one of the most engrossing Test series of all time; Australia winning 2-1, with the opening Test ending in a tie at Brisbane. Worrell, born on August 1, 1924, in Barbados, however, did more than just play a key role in entertaining spectators. He embodied fine........

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