Kelleb Laurent

Kelleb Laurent
Personal information
Full name
Kelleb John Laurent
Born(1941-06-21)21 June 1941
Saint Joseph Parish, Dominica
Died28 April 2010(2010-04-28) (aged 68)
Roseau, Dominica
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm off-spin
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1964-65 to 1973Windward Islands
1965-66 to 1969-70Combined Islands
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 16
Runs scored 176
Batting average 8.80
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 38
Balls bowled 2851
Wickets 48
Bowling average 48.77
5 wickets in innings 3
10 wickets in match 1
Best bowling 6/39
Catches/stumpings 9/–
Source: Cricinfo, 12 November 2020

Kelleb John Laurent (21 June 1941 – 28 April 2010)[1] was a cricketer, schoolteacher and politician from Dominica.

Career

Laurent was an off-spin bowler who played first-class cricket for the Windward Islands and the Combined Islands from 1965 to 1973.[2] His best bowling and batting figures came in his last match, in 1973, in Windward Islands' victory over Leeward Islands, when he took 2 for 44 and 6 for 39 and made 38, Windward Islands' top score, in the first innings.[3] He took his best match figures against Guyana in 1966-67: 6 for 76 and 5 for 94.[4] Later he served as Dominica's national coach and selector for many years.[5]

Laurent spent his working life as a school teacher in Dominica, including some years as a principal.[6] After his death the St Joseph Junior School in St Joseph Parish was renamed the Kelleb John Laurent Primary School in honour of his contribution in the development of St Joseph and Dominica.[1]

Laurent also served as a member of the House of Assembly of Dominica. He won the St Joseph constituency in the July 1980 General Elections and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Health and Youth Affairs in the Dominica Freedom Party government led by Eugenia Charles.[7][6] He also served on the St Joseph village council for many years.[8]

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award from the Dominica government in 2003.[9] A cricket stand at Windsor Park Stadium in Roseau was named in his honour (the Clem John and Kelleb Laurent Stand) and he was inducted in the Dominica Hall of Fame for Sports.[1] After his death in April 2010 the government declared a national day of mourning in his honour, on which the national flag on all public buildings was flown at half-mast.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Primary school renamed in honor of former educator". DaVibes. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Kelleb Laurent". CricketArchive. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Windward Islands v Leeward Islands 1973". CricketArchive. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Windward Islands v Guyana 1966-67". CricketArchive. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Sebastien says Laurent's death a blow to local cricket". Dominica News Online. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Former Combined Islands cricketer dies". Guyana Chronicle. 29 April 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Official funeral for deceased former member of the House of Assembly". Dominica News Online. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  8. ^ "St. Joseph Primary to be renamed after the late Kaleb Laurent". Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  9. ^ "National Service Awards Register". Government of Dominica. Retrieved 14 November 2020.