Cricket broadcasting icon and sports organizer Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira announced yesterday that the Digicel Regional 4-Day fourth round clash between the Guyana Jaguars and Barbados Pride will be the final cricket match in Guyana that he will be in the commentators’ booth.
At a press conference held at Tower Suites on Main Street, Georgetown, Reds reflected on his long career as a cricket commentator. His first broadcast was from Rose Hall, Berbice, British Guiana (BG) versus Trinidad and Tobago, October 13, 14,16,17,18, the 1961 Pentangular Tournament. The leading broadcasters were covering the Barbados/Jamaica match at Bourda which was being played simultaneously, and a second team of Claude Vieira, Norman McLean and Reds was sent to Rose Hall.
It was the late Rafiq Khan who selected Reds for that game in which BG won by seven wickets on the fifth day, with Reds remembering Charlie Davis getting a hundred for Trinidad.
“It was the start of a long ride. I am blessed and have been very lucky. A lot of people in the Caribbean have helped me along the way. In those days, GBS [Guyana Broadcasting Service] would provide the ticket, but I would have to find accommodation. I stayed with lots of friends, “he said.
Reds reminisced covering 147 test matches and figures he broadcast between 300 and 400 other matches, including ODIs and first class games. In fact, Reds can probably write his own version of Australian country singer Geoff Mack’s hit “I’ve been everywhere.”
The only country he didn’t manage to broadcast cricket from was Bangladesh. Everywhere else that first class cricket is played, Reds has broadcast from there; England, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Canada, and the entire Caribbean.
His interest had been sparked whilst listening to the radio coverage of the 1950 West Indies tour of India, and was developed further during the 1950/51 West Indies tour of Australia. Reds followed the series on short wave radio, often staying awake from ten o’clock at night until four in the morning. He quickly realized when playing second division and Rajah Cup cricket he wasn’t going to play for BG, and that his calling in the game lay elsewhere.
He still misses his friend and colleague, the late Tony Cozier who he considers the most outstanding cricket journalist the world has ever seen, writing for newspapers as well as doing radio and television at the same time. They travelled the world for over thirty years, had a very good working relationship and were fortunate to witness the best of the best; the three Ws, Sobers-Kanhai, Lloyd-Richards. Cozier was buried on Reds’ last birthday, one which he would rather forget. They spoke to each other at least once a week.
“I saw and met the best players. I have seen the best grounds,” Reds observed.
In 1977, he received what he initially considered to be a prank call, from Linton Taylor in Sydney, Australia. To this day he doesn’t know how the gentleman got hold of his unlisted telephone number but soon after he was on his way to Australia to cover “ the fiercest cricket I have seen”, the 1977/79 Kerry Packer World Series Cricket.
Reds has witnessed many great moments in West Indies cricket, but upon reflection he considers the 1975 Prudential World Cup first round encounter with Pakistan, the last half hour of which “was the most nerve wracking game”, he broadcast. He was fortunate to be commentating during the waning moments of that game, and still remembers “the tears of joy”, in the broadcast booth. The one run win at the Adelaide Oval in January, 1993 also ranks near the top.
Reds has shared the booth with the cream of broadcasters. Englishmen John Arlott, Trevor Bailey, Brian Johnston and Australians Richie Benaud and Alan McGilvray, to name a few.
Today, the first Day/Night four day in Guyana’s history will be played at the National Stadium, it will be also Red’s final game as a cricket commentator. He has specifically requested no red carpet treatment, no plaques, no accolades.
Cricket fans and their families can express their gratitude and appreciation for Reds’ contribution to the development and promotion of sport in Guyana by showing up in large numbers for this special occasion.
