This space for the past two days has highlighted the cricket outlook of Ivan Johnson. The noted editor of The Punch is without a doubt also one of our sporting legends. During the early 1970s, as a young journalist, just elevated to the Sports Editor's position at this newspaper, I received a communication from Ivan Johnson.
He informed of his United Kingdom activities in cricket. There is no doubt that he paid his dues as the pioneer Bahamian cricket performer on one of the sport's greatest stage. However, while his contribution to our sporting history compares favorably with the best of the best Bahamians, he has never really gotten the credit deserved for his exploits.
We have a National Hall of Fame and while I take no issue with any one so honored, the truth is that a number of them pale in comparison to what Johnson has achieved.
Yet he has not been inducted into our National Hall of Fame.
Let's take a look at Ivan Johnson's cricket background.
As pointed out in the two preceding columns, he is the only Bahamian to play Test and International Level Cricket. An all-rounder, he was a member of England's Worcestershire County Club from 1972 to 1975.
A slow left-arm orthodox spin bowler, Johnson played for Young England versus Young West Indies in a tour of the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Antigua, Nevis, Barbados, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Guyana in the summer of 1972. Johnson topped the batting averages for Young England on that tour, scoring a century and a 70 in Jamaica and an 80 in Barbados.
While at Worcestershire, Johnson played on Worcestershire County Championship winning sides of 1973 and 1974. At Worcestershire Johnson played with Ron Headley (son of the late great Jamaican/West Indies batsman George Headley), Basil D'Oliveira of South Africa and England, Imran Khan of Pakistan, Glenn Turner of New Zealand, Vanburn Holder of the West Indies and Norman Gifford of England.
That's pretty healthy company for the Bahamian lad indeed.
Johnson played in the Worcestershire versus Kent Benson & Hedges Cup Final of 1973 at Lord's Cricket Ground, the recognized home of world cricket. The Cup Final was played in front of a capacity of 35,000 fans and was televised live in Britain.
The Bahamian cricket pacesetter has the distinction of scoring a half-century at Lord's for Worcestershire in a country game against Middlesex. Ivan made his first-class debut at the age of 18 in 1972 against Warwickshire, a team that boasted two great West Indies players, Rohan Kanhjai and Lance Gibbs.
Johnson quit cricket when he was not yet 23, to major in journalism in London. His highest first-class score was 69 and his best bowling was 5-32. He also played at Worcestershire against the icon Sir Gary Sobers who was captain of Nottinghamshire at the time. In one game against Nottinghasshire, Johnson hit the last ball of the game off bowler Sobers for four to win the match.
Other Bahamians who traveled to England, knew of Johnson's career and have told him often, he informs, of how they watched him play. One such was the late, revered minister of the Gospel, Archdeacon William Thompson.
Yes, there are those who like me, can vouch his for his credentials.
The man belongs in the National Hall of Fame.
It is a travesty that he has not yet been inducted.
(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at fredericksturrup@gmail.com).
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