Legendary Windies cricket commentator Tony Cozier dies at the age of 75

Bridgetown: The legendary West Indies cricket writer and commentator, Tony Cozier died in his home country Barbados on Wednesday morning due to prolong illness, at the age of 75.

Covering West Indies cricket for more than 50 years, Cozier wrote his last column on cricket which got published on May 1. He had been hospitalised on May 3 for tests related to infections in the neck and legs.

West Indies Cricket Board while paying a condolence to the Cozier said, “He made a great contribution to the game. We extend condolences to his friends and family”.

Cozier began his commentary career during Australia's tour of West Indies in 1962. He worked in radio and television, wrote books, and was published in newspapers, magazines and on the internet.

Meanwhile, ICC paid their condolence to Cozier and said “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Cozier today. One of the truly great voices of cricket. A huge loss for the cricket community”.

"So so Sad ... Forget all the Great players .. Tony Cozier was the reason I loved West Indian Cricket ... #RIPTony," tweeted former England captain Michael Vaughan.

Commenting on the sad news, Damien O Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Premier League said: It was with great sadness that we learned of Tony’s sad passing.

"To many fans across the Caribbean and beyond he was quite simply the voice of West Indies cricket. His love of cricket was a positive influence in telling the story across a golden era for West Indies cricket and he was hugely respected and loved, in equal measure, by fans of the game.

"For more than 50 years Tony’s voice has resonated through television, radio or the written word in homes across the cricketing world and he was admired internationally for his passion, insight and enthusiasm," he said.