The right-handed opening batsman from Barbados was a key player in West Indies’ glorious run in the 80s and early 90s. Born on this day, 59 years ago, Haynes made a sensational debut in one-day internationals by scoring a hundred against Australia in 1978 that led to his inclusion in the Test team.
He started off as an attacking batsman but was content playing second fiddle to Gordon Greenidge, as they formed a formidable opening partnership raking up 6,482 Test runs with 16 century stands and four in excess of 200 runs.
Haynes played in 116 Tests, scoring 7,487 at an average of 42.29 hitting 18 centuries.
He was equally prolific in the ODIs raking up 8,648 runs (average 41.27), scoring 17 centuries besides featuring in four World Cups in 1979, 1983, 1987 and 1992. He retired in 1997 and is currently a director on the West Indies board.
1965: Craig Mathews, former South African fast bowler who played 18 Tests and 56 ODIs.
1969: Ian Hunter, ex-rugby union player and 1995 World Cupper with seven England caps (47).
1974: Alexander Wurz, retired Austrian F1 driver and training expert, also a driver coach for Williams (42).
1981: Rita Jeptoo, Kenyan distance runner who has won the Boston Marathon three times (35).
