Clive Lloyd retires as ICC Match Referee

The West Indies-England Super Eight match at Kensington Oval yesterday was the last one-day international not only for Brain Lara, but also for another West Indian great Clive Lloyd.

Lloyd retired from his job as the ICC Match Referee after officiating in 53 Tests and 133 ODIs in that role yesterday.

At a special ceremony during the lunch interval of the match, Lloyd received a presentation from ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed in recognition of the immense contribution he has made to cricket during his time as referee.

"Clive was one of the best loved and most respected players during the height of West Indies cricket in the 1970s and '80s. When he hung up his boots as a player he did not disappear from the game but became a fine administrator with the West Indies Cricket Board and subsequently an excellent ICC Match Referee," ICC President Percy Sonn said.

"Just like when he played the game, Clive brought his own integrity and sense of fair play to his role as referee. He had the rare ability to forge good relations with the players and he always managed to retain their respect, which is so vital for match officials. We were very lucky to have him as one of our referees," he added.

Speaking at the presentation, Lloyd said: "This is a wonderful gesture by the ICC and I feel proud to have served them for such a long while. We all come to the end eventually and this is my time but it was a pleasure to have been involved with them.

"The transition from player to referee was not that difficult for me because if you believe in discipline it's obvious that you would fit quite easily into the role. I have always felt strongly about discipline in the game."

As a player, Lloyd was the first West Indian to reach the 100-Test milestone and as a hard-hitting batsman he scored 7,515 Test runs at an average of 46.67 with a top score of 247 not out.

He is one of the West Indies' most successful captains in the history, having led his country in 74 Test matches with just 12 defeats coming during that time. He was at the helm for one remarkable run of 26 Tests without defeat and 11 successive wins. He was captain for both of the West Indies victories in the World Cup in 1975 and 1979.

After finishing playing he has continued to devote himself to the game as an administrator with the West Indies Cricket Board and official and mentor with the West Indies team, as well as one of the most respected ICC match referees, a role he has fulfilled since 1992. In that time he has officiated in 53 Test matches and 133 ODIs, including 17 games during the World Cup in 1996 and 2003. (ANI)

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