Grange saddened by Cozier's passing

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, has expressed sorrow and shock at the passing of West Indies cricket commentator, Tony Cozier.

In a statement on Thursday on the passing of Cozier, who died on Wednesday from cancer at the age of 75, Minister Grange said, “Like the rest of the world, I am deeply saddened and shocked by the news of Tony’s passing. Without question, Tony was the voice of West Indies cricket. Through his commentaries, be it orally or in written form, the world had a better understanding and appreciation of the West Indian way of life and how we play the game here in the Caribbean.”

 She pointed out that Cozier was a constant companion of the West Indies team, since first appearing with them at Headingley in 1966.

 The Minister also noted that he was made an honorary member of the Melbourne Cricket Club and that the refurbished Kensington Oval in Bridgetown now bears his name, as a tangible tribute to the naturally talented sports journalist that he was.

 “Cricket was Tony’s life, having given more than 50 years of dedicated service, a feat that will perhaps never be matched by any broadcaster from the region or anywhere around the world. Through those years, his exemplary body of work was the standard which journalists sought to emulate and uphold, and remains a template for journalists of the game and journalism in general,” she stated.

 “He was a master of his craft and played a masterful innings beyond the realms of mere statistics,” the Minister added.

 She said that his voice and his intellect would be sadly missed in the coming years but urged his wife, Jillian, and his children Craig and Natalie, to seek courage and solace in the legacy he has left behind.