Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President Bissoondyal Singh and the Executives and staff of the body have extended condolences on the passing of former Guyana cricketer Sydney Jackson Matthews.
A release from the GCB said that Matthews represented Guyana with distinction during a first-class career that spanned from 1970 to 1988. He was among the pioneering Guyanese cricketers selected for the inaugural West Indies Under-19 tour of the United Kingdom in 1970 and later represented the West Indies President’s XI against New Zealand in 1972.
A talented and highly versatile bowler, the GCB said that Matthews began his career as a fast bowler before successfully transitioning to leg-spin.
“This remarkable adaptability reflected his skill, cricketing intelligence and deep understanding of the game. His career-best first-class bowling figures were six wickets for 76 runs.
“Matthews played an important role during a distinguished period in Guyana’s cricket history and was associated with regional championship-winning teams in 1971,1977, and 1987. He competed alongside some of Guyana and the West Indies’ most celebrated cricketers and earned the respect of teammates and opponents through his discipline, commitment and professionalism”, the release said.
President Bissoondyal Singh stated:
“Sydney Matthews was a gifted and versatile cricketer who represented Guyana with pride and distinction. His successful transition from fast bowling to leg-spin demonstrated his exceptional ability and determination. His contribution to three regional championship-winning teams and his pioneering representation at the West Indies Under-19 level will forever remain part of Guyana’s rich cricketing history. His passing is a significant loss to the cricket fraternity of Guyana and the wider Caribbean.”
Matthews also participated in domestic cricket through his representation of East Bank, the Demerara Cricket Club and the Guyana Defence Force. His cricketing legacy was extended through his son, Ron Matthews, who also represented Guyana and the West Indies at the Under-19 level.
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