FORMER West Indies test fast bowler Sylvester Clarke collapsed and died at his home in Barbados at the weekend. Clarke, who would have celebrated his 45th birthday later this month, was the third former West Indian Test player to die in the past month. Fellow fast bowler Malcolm Marshall died of cancer last month at the age of 41 while opener Conrad Hunte died after a heart attack last Friday aged 67. Clarke played 11 Tests, taking 42 wickets at an average of 27.83 apiece with best figures of five for 126 against India at Bangalore. Regarded as a fiery and fearsome fast bowler with a smooth action, Clarke, who usually bowled from a short run-up, was part of the West Indies “rebel” team which toured South Africa in 1982 and 1983. He later returned to South Africa, representing Transvaal, Northern Transvaal and Free State in the first-class competition there. Clarke enjoyed great success in South Africa and equalled the Currie Cup record in 1984-85 with 58 wickets at 13 runs each.
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