Nevisian cricketing hero, Elquemedo Tonito Willet, celebrates his 66th birthday today, May 1st 2019
According to Wikipedia: ‘Elquemedo Tonito Willett MBE (born May 1, 1953, Charlestown, Nevis) is a former West Indian cricketer who played in five Tests from 1973 to 1974. He is the first Nevisian and Leeward Islander to make it to the West Indies senior team.
He made his first-class debut for Leeward Islands in 1970-71 at the age of 17, and played his last match in the 1988-89 season. He took 8 for 73 (his best innings figures) and 3 for 44 for the West Indians against Glamorgan in 1973.
During New Zealand’s tour of the West Indies in 1972, Willett was considered the best of the many left-arm finger-spinners the New Zealanders faced.
Willett’s nephew Stuart Williams has played many Tests and ODIs for the West Indies. His sons, Tonito and Akito Willett also play first-class cricket.
In July 2010, Nevis’s primary sporting venue, Grove Park, was renamed Elquemedo Willett Park in his honour. The renaming ceremony was a major event for the island, with several members of the island’s administration participating, including the Premier of Nevis, Joseph Parry’.
The whole of Nevis and indeed the entire cricketing world, pauses to salute the great man on reaching another significant milestone.