11 facts about Roy Fredricks: The fearless batsman of the 70's

When the likes of Dennis Lille and Jeff Thompson bowled in the prime, defense and survival were the only thoughts that would pass in the minds of the opposition. The Western Australia cricket Association ground at Perth was their backyard and very few dared to look them into their raging eyes of the pace demons. But, if you talk about Roy Fredricks, he was different.

Standing at just 5 foot 6 inches, the sturdy left-hander was famous for hitting the ball as hard as possible often sending it to the fence with great force. Although he did not have prolonged test career for the West Indies, he quickly carved an identity of being a prominent trouble maker for fast bowlers in their own golden 70’s era.

1.Born on:

Roy Clifton Fredericks was born on November 11, 1942, in Blairmont, town of British Guiana. At the time of his birth, the country was a British colony until it became a sovereign nation on May 26, 1966.

2. Nickname:

Roy was fondly nicknamed Freddo by those who knew him.

3. Also known as Kid Cement:

Fredericks was nicknamed ‘Kid Cement’ as he was fearless, tough and had a relentless approach towards batting.

4. A thorough sportsman:

He was an all-rounder sportsman and represented his country, Guyana, also in Table Tennis and Squash.

5. Wisden cricket of the year:

Fredericks was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1974.

6. Battle with cancer:

Fredericks battled throat cancer for a long time. He had throat surgery two years prior to his death on September 5, 2000 in a New York hospital.

7. Plays part in the highest partnership for Glamorgan:

Fredericks and his opening partner Alan Jones once added 330 against Northamptonshire at Swansea, Wales. This was the highest partnership for any wicket for Glamorgan at that time. Fredericks scored 228 but ended up on the losing side.

8. Famous hit-wicket:

In the final of World Cup 1975 against Australia at Lord’s, Fredericks tried his forte, the hook, on Dennis Lillee. The shot was timed so well that it soared over long-leg dispatching the ball landed outside the ground into St John’s Wood Road. However, he trod on the stumps and was out hit wicket.

9. The iconic 169 against Australia at Perth:

Fredericks was a destructive batsman; if balls were to be counted during his time he could had been one of the quickest. He played a blistering match-winning knock of 169 on a lightning fast pitch of Perth in 1975. Add to it, Australia had the likes of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. Fredericks took the duo on from the word go. His innings had his trademark hook shot and at the same time beautifully timed cuts and the cover drive. He reached his century off just 71 balls, the second-quickest of that time after Jack Gregory’s 67-ball assault. He went on to make 169 off 145 deliveries. Till date it is regarded as one of the best knocks played in Test cricket and the quickest against Australia in their own backyard. However, Australians won the series 5-1 and this was the only Test that the West Indies won.

10. Politics:

Fredericks was also Junior Minister for Youth and Sports in the left-wing Government run by Forbes Burnham, the Guyanese dictator credited for fighting nationalism in the South American nation. He was appointed the Minister of Youths and Sport in Guyana in the Forbes Burnham regime.

11. Habit of calling others ‘old chap’:

Fredericks had a habit of calling people and fellow cricketers “old chap” during conversations. He often called his contemporaries like Alan Jones and Wilfred Wooller “old chap”.