Tony Cozier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Cozier
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Cozier in a 2007 BBC interview
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| Born |
Winston Anthony Lloyd Cozier
10 July 1940 |
| Died | 11 May 2016 (aged 75) Bridgetown, Barbados
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| Nationality | Barbadian |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation | Cricket journalist and broadcaster |
| Years active | 1958–2016 |
| Known for |
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Winston Anthony Lloyd Cozier (born July 10, 1940 – died May 11, 2016) was a famous Barbadian cricket journalist, writer, and radio commentator. He spent over 50 years talking about and writing about West Indian cricket. Many people called him "the voice" of West Indies cricket. He was also known for speaking his mind about the sport.
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Tony Cozier's Early Life
Cozier was born in Bridgetown, Barbados. His father, Jimmy Cozier, was also a journalist. Jimmy Cozier was the editor of the St Lucia Voice and started the Barbados Daily News.
Tony Cozier's family came from Scotland in the 1700s. He studied journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He started his career as a reporter in 1958.
Before becoming famous for cricket, he played sports himself. He was a goalkeeper for Barbados in hockey. He also played cricket as a batsman and wicket-keeper for local clubs. These clubs were Wanderers and Carlton.
His Work as a Journalist
In 1961, Tony Cozier became the editor of the Barbados Daily News. He worked with retired cricketer Everton Weekes there. He also reported on the West Indies cricket tour to England in 1963.
Later, he became the cricket writer for the Barbados Advocate newspaper. In 1973, he helped create a new newspaper called The Daily Nation. He also wrote for a British newspaper called The Independent.
Tony Cozier's Commentating Career
Tony Cozier's first time commentating on a Test Match for radio was in 1965. It was a game between West Indies and Australia. From 1966, he joined the BBC's Test Match Special team. He also commentated on TV for Channel Nine in Australia and Sky Sports.
He covered almost every Wisden Trophy series during his career. Even when he had health problems, he still commentated. He worked on the 2014/15 England tour of the West Indies. Fellow commentator Vic Marks said Tony described the games clearly and fairly.
Funny Moments and Famous Lines
Tony Cozier was known for knowing many cricket facts and numbers. Once, a fellow commentator, Brian Johnston, played a joke on him. He pretended they were live on air and asked Tony to list all the West Indies team's bowling figures and birthdays. Tony couldn't do it, which was part of the joke!
He was even asked by Kerry Packer to be a commentator for the World Series Cricket. Tony believed that regular people liked this new series. During one commentary, he even sang the song "Blue Moon".
In 1994, when Brian Lara broke a batting record, Tony wrote about it. He said there was "no real surprise" among Lara's countrymen. They just felt his big moment had arrived sooner than expected.
Perhaps his most famous line was in 1999. West Indies had a very bad game, getting out for only 51 runs against Australia. Tony Cozier famously asked, "Where does West Indies cricket go from ’ere?".
He also once described the Queen's Park Oval cricket ground perfectly. He said it was "exactly as its name suggests—absolutely round."
Legendary Parties
Tony Cozier was also famous for the parties he hosted for his media friends. These parties happened at his small holiday home in Barbados. They were described as "legendary" by Vic Marks. Guests enjoyed rum punch, barbecue, and even beach cricket.
Tony Cozier's Writing
Besides commentating, Tony Cozier wrote many books about cricket. He wrote an important book called The West Indies: 50 Years of Test Cricket in 1978. He was also the editor of The West Indies Cricket Annual for all 22 of its editions.
He edited the Wisden History of the World Cup. He also worked with famous cricketers Clive Lloyd and Michael Holding on their life stories.
Honours and Awards
To honor his great work, the press box at the Kensington Oval cricket ground was named after him. This is where journalists sit to report on games. In December 2011, he became an honorary life member of the MCC. This was for his big contributions to cricket.
His Passing
Tony Cozier passed away from cancer on May 11, 2016, in Bridgetown. He was 75 years old.
Fellow commentator Jonathan Agnew said Tony was a master at switching between TV and radio commentary. The West Indies Cricket Board said he represented West Indies everywhere he went. They added that he taught people worldwide about their cricket, their culture, and who they are. His voice was strong and heard all over the cricket world.
He was survived by his wife, Jillian, whom he had been married to for over 50 years. He also had a son and a daughter.
