Alvin Kallicharran

Alvin Isaac Kallicharran (born 21 March 1949) is a former West Indian batsman of Indo-Guyanese ethnicity who played from 1972 to 1981. His elegant, watchful batting style produced some substantial innings for a West Indian team very much in its formative years in the seventies. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year for 1973.

Kallicharran was born in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana). His brother Derek played first class cricket for Guyana and later the United States of America. Though he was a talented batsman like many of his peers, Alvin Kallicharran only managed 4399 runs, but at an average of 44.43 in 66 Test matches, he demonstrated his capability. He was part of the 1975 and 1979 team that won the Cricket World Cup. His highest innings was a score of 187 against India in the 1978-79 tour.

A small man, he had poise, balance, orthodoxy, and a full repertoire of strokes off either foot. He was at his best away from soft, seaming pitches, despite his successes with Warwickshire in English County cricket. Probably his finest innings, a superb knock of 158 against England, was shrouded in controversy when he was run out by Tony Greig towards the end of the first day. He attempted to join World Series Cricket, but failed, and was appointed captain of the West Indies in 1977-1978 when Clive Lloyd resigned over the Packer issue. Kallicharan was later involved in controversy when he led an unofficial 'rebel' tour to South Africa in defiance of the Gleneagles Agreement and...
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