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Three of West Indies' favourite sons – Learie Constantine (in 1901), Curtly Ambrose (1963), and Chris Gayle (1979) were born on this day.
Here is something on the oldest, and most important, of the three.
#BLM #BlackLivesMatter
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Here is something on the oldest, and most important, of the three.
#BLM #BlackLivesMatter
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First, the cricketing bit.
As his contemporaries often mentioned, Constantine could bowl very fast and hit the ball very hard, and was probably the best outfielder of his generation.
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As his contemporaries often mentioned, Constantine could bowl very fast and hit the ball very hard, and was probably the best outfielder of his generation.
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He played only 18 Tests, averaging 19 with bat and 30 with ball.
But there were some important performances, mostly against England – 4/35 and 5/87 at Georgetown, 90, 31, 2/41, 3/11 at Port-of-Spain, 34, 3/55, 3/13 at Kingston, etc.
But there were some important performances, mostly against England – 4/35 and 5/87 at Georgetown, 90, 31, 2/41, 3/11 at Port-of-Spain, 34, 3/55, 3/13 at Kingston, etc.
In 1900, Lebrun Constantine (father of Learie) became the first West Indian to score a hundred on English soil.
Lebrun's grandfather and father-in-law were both slaves.
Learie Constantine grew up in a society where the Black population was considered second-class citizens.
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Lebrun's grandfather and father-in-law were both slaves.
Learie Constantine grew up in a society where the Black population was considered second-class citizens.
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They were obviously too talented to be kept out of representative cricket sides, but they were invariably – with exceptions like Lebrun – fast bowlers.
And obviously they were not allowed to lead their "masters".
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And obviously they were not allowed to lead their "masters".
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He worked as a clerk, but soon realised that with his background and skin colour, his chance of getting up the ladder in the legal profession was minimal.
Cricket was his only way out.
The Blacks in Port-of-Spain were barred from Queen's Park Oval.
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Cricket was his only way out.
The Blacks in Port-of-Spain were barred from Queen's Park Oval.
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They had to be confined to the rough Savannah, "a huge, picturesque open space in Port-of-Spain big enough to hold dozens of cricket pitches, most with a single large tree that acted as changing room, place of shade and clubhouse".
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Constantine rose through the ranks in West Indies domestic cricket, but it was important for him to put up a show in front of the English cricket fraternity, especially at Lord's.
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At Lord's in 1928 against Middlesex he top-scored in each innings with 86 and 103 (the 100 came in 60 minutes).
There was also a 7/51 in the second innings.
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There was also a 7/51 in the second innings.
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In the second innings Constantine broke Jack Hearne's finger with a drive hit so hard that Hearne could not play again that season.
Another shot, hit off the back foot, "flew over cover point and ricocheted off the Old Father Time vane on the roof of the North Stand."
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Another shot, hit off the back foot, "flew over cover point and ricocheted off the Old Father Time vane on the roof of the North Stand."
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The tour helped Constantine grow in stature.
He managed to sign a deal with Nelson in the Lancashire League.
He played for Nelson from 1929 to 1942. During this period Nelson won seven league titles including four in a row, and came runners-up thrice.
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He managed to sign a deal with Nelson in the Lancashire League.
He played for Nelson from 1929 to 1942. During this period Nelson won seven league titles including four in a row, and came runners-up thrice.
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Constantine scored 7,111 runs at 35.91 and took 884 wickets at 9.94.
His records of 799 wickets and 79 five-fors (only in the league) both still stand. He also took five-wicket hauls at every ground and against every club.
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His records of 799 wickets and 79 five-fors (only in the league) both still stand. He also took five-wicket hauls at every ground and against every club.
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But this was the 1930s, which meant that Constantine had to bear racist attacks.
Locals used to cross the streets to ensure they did not walk on the same side.
In 1933, a letter reached LN Constantine Esq., Professional, Nelson CC. It started with "Dear Nigger".
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Locals used to cross the streets to ensure they did not walk on the same side.
In 1933, a letter reached LN Constantine Esq., Professional, Nelson CC. It started with "Dear Nigger".
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"Nigger" and "black bugger" would remain common companions.
On another occasion, two boys, aged six and four, shook hands with him.
Once done, they seemed surprised that the black paint had not come off the hands.
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On another occasion, two boys, aged six and four, shook hands with him.
Once done, they seemed surprised that the black paint had not come off the hands.
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During World War 2, the Constantines would have been safe if they set sail for Trinidad.
But they chose to stay back in Nelson.
He was eventually offered the post of Welfare Officer.
He looked over West Indian immigrants in England.
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But they chose to stay back in Nelson.
He was eventually offered the post of Welfare Officer.
He looked over West Indian immigrants in England.
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Constantine was invited to play two wartime matches at Lord's.
He booked two rooms at Imperial Hotel, Russell Square well in advance.
However, he and his family were told that they would not be allow to stay beyond a night.
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He booked two rooms at Imperial Hotel, Russell Square well in advance.
However, he and his family were told that they would not be allow to stay beyond a night.
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Constantine pointed out that he had a four-day booking.
"I can turn you out when I like," came the response.
There was no way Constantine was going to digest this. He contacted the Ministry of Labour.
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"I can turn you out when I like," came the response.
There was no way Constantine was going to digest this. He contacted the Ministry of Labour.
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"He can stay tonight but he has to leave tomorrow morning and if he doesn’t his luggage will be put outside and his door locked," told the manager.
Obviously he was asked to explain. "We won't have niggers in this hotel," came the response.
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Obviously he was asked to explain. "We won't have niggers in this hotel," came the response.
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It is to be noted that by then Constantine was a British citizen.
He checked out and moved to Bedford Hotel, but pursued this. The matter was raised to the House of Commons.
Constantine filed a case against the Imperial Hotel and won the lawsuit.
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He checked out and moved to Bedford Hotel, but pursued this. The matter was raised to the House of Commons.
Constantine filed a case against the Imperial Hotel and won the lawsuit.
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This was one of the many battles Constantine fought to make life better for the Black population in England. He played key role behind the the Race Relations Act of 1965.
Four years later he became the first Black peer.
Four years later he became the first Black peer.
