The Rise and Fall of Richard Austin: A Cricketing Tragedy

One of my first features for this newspaper was about Richard Austin, a Jamaican cricketer whose talent once shone brightly in the world of sports. Austin was not just a cricketer; he was an all-rounder who represented the West Indies during a golden era of cricket. Yet, during my second tour to the Caribbean, I encountered a shocking transformation: he was living in a car park opposite the Hilton hotel in downtown Kingston.

Imagine this: while England’s cricket team was enjoying their stay in Kingston, Austin walked into the hotel lobby, looking for a handout. I had seen him play league cricket in Lancashire as a boy, and the sight of him—disheveled and desperate—was heart-wrenching. How could a once-great athlete find himself in such dire straits? What had happened?

The Rebel Tours: A Double-Edged Sword

The cruel irony of Austin’s situation lay in his past choices. He had once come into some money by participating in one of the rebel tours to South Africa during the early 1980s. At that time, opportunities for cricketers just below the elite level were scarce. The temptation of earning South African rand proved too strong for some, including Austin.

While English cricketers faced short-term bans for similar actions, the Caribbean response was far harsher. Black cricketers who toured apartheid South Africa were met with lifetime bans from both international and domestic cricket. Public forgiveness was a distant dream.

The Legacy of Bernard Julien

The recent passing of Bernard Julien, a former Trinidad all-rounder, serves as a poignant reminder of this troubled history. Julien’s career ended with the second rebel tour, and he, too, faced a difficult life after cricket. He battled throat cancer and depression, living a life reliant on government and private handouts. His story, like Austin’s, reflects the harsh realities faced by many who made similar choices.

Ashley Gray’s book, The Unforgiven, delves into the lives of the 20 players who participated in those tours. It raises profound questions about the decisions we make and the consequences that follow. The stories are not just about cricket; they touch on themes of punishment, forgiveness, and the human experience.

The Struggles of Other Rebels

Austin’s fate was not unique. Many players who stayed in the Caribbean faced long-lasting repercussions. Known as “Danny Germs,” Austin became homeless and dependent on drugs, passing away a decade ago at the age of 60. Other players, like wicketkeeper David Murray, lived in poverty until their deaths, while Everton Mattis struggled with addiction and imprisonment.

Yet, not all stories ended in despair. Some, like Colin Croft, found new paths—Croft became a pilot, while Franklyn Stephenson resumed his cricket career after the ban was lifted in 1989, eventually running a successful cricket academy in Barbados.

A Complex Legacy

Lawrence “Yagga” Rowe, another well-known rebel, faced a complicated relationship with his homeland. His name was almost attached to a pavilion at Sabina Park, but public outcry halted that decision, reminding us that the past is never easily forgotten.

When Julien passed away, Kishore Shallow, president of Cricket West Indies, issued a statement that acknowledged both his cricketing brilliance and the complex times he lived through. “His career reminds us that the story of West Indies cricket is not only about triumphs on the field but about the choices and circumstances that shaped generations of players,” he said.

Reflecting on Choices

Shallow’s words invite us to reflect on the difficult realities faced by players navigating the pressures of opportunity, conscience, and circumstance. As we remember these athletes, we must ask ourselves: how do we reconcile their past choices with their contributions to our shared cricketing story?