End of an era as West Indies Cricket loses its voice today. Yes, renowned Cricket Commentator Tony Cozier, who was called as the voice of West Indies Cricket died today due to illness.
Winston Anthony Lloyd “Tony” Cozier, full name, was a Cricket Commentator born in July 1940 at Barbados. Cozier, who started off as a cricket and hockey player before he went on to become a commentator and writer in 1958. A man with sound cricketing knowledge, Cozier didn’t miss any series featuring West Indies after 1962. It was for his appearance at all the West Indies matches played during the period, he was seen as the voice of the Caribbeans.
Cozier went on to study journalism after his stint as a Cricketer and Hockey player at one of the clubs based at Barbados. He passed his journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa. He started commentating and writing on cricket in 1958. In 2011, The Marylebone Cricket Club, in 2011, accorded Cozier with life membership for his services to cricket.
Whole cricketing world went into mourning as this sad news erupted over.
Speaking about him Harsha Bhogle, renowned Cricket Commentator and Columnist, said through his twitter handle,”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.”
Earlier there was a confusion about his death and that made Harsha Bhogle write on the micro-blogging site,”I’m still waiting for someone to tell me it is one of those twitter hoaxes. How can Tony Cozier go? Only one word. Great.”
While BBC Cricket Correspondent Jonathan Agnew who was a close friend of Cozier, wrote on twitter,”Desperate to report the passing of great family friend, Tony Cozier. Not enough room here to pay sufficient tribute. Will miss him hugely”
Ex-Cricketer and Commentator from India, Aakash Chopra, in his tribute via twitter, said,”Cricket has lost one of its most trusted and endearing voice…watching cricket from the WI will never be same again. R.I.P. Tony Cozier.”
Another BBC Sports Broadcaster, Pat Murphy, in his tribute via twitter, wrote,”Tony Cozier, The coolest of cricketing dudes. Effortless,distinctive broadcaster. Journalist above all,took on some of the big WI names.”
With his demise, Crowe, Greig, Benaud and Cozier, who formed a quartet of commentators with repute as the voices of Cricket books, for their sound knowledge about cricket and rules related to cricket, all four have lined-up heavenwards now.
The South African Cricketer, David Miller wrote on his twitter handle,”Sad to hear about #tonycozier. Thoughts go out to family and friends over this time. #RIP.”
The World T20 winning captain of West Indies, Darren Sammy wrote,”Condolences go out to the families and friends of #TonyCozier That voice will forever be in my head #RIPTonyCozier.”
Aged 75, Cozier had been admitted to Bayview Hospital in Beckles Road in Barbados and was said to be under observation in a critical condition.
Born to a journalist father Jimmy Cozier, based at Barbados, Tony Cozier went on to become one of West Indies cricket’s more prominent voices, writing several books and providing commentary for many TV and radio networks channels. His father had founded the Barbados Daily News and was the managing editor of the St Lucia Voice.