Kelleb Laurent Explained

Kelleb Laurent
Fullname:Kelleb John Laurent
Birth Date:21 June 1941
Birth Place:Saint Joseph Parish, Dominica
Death Place:Roseau, Dominica
Batting:Right-handed
Bowling:Right-arm off-spin
Club1:Windward Islands
Year1:1964-65 to 1973
Club2:Combined Islands
Year2:1965-66 to 1969-70
Columns:1
Column1:First-class
Matches1:16
Runs1:176
Bat Avg1:8.80
100S/50S1:0/0
Top Score1:38
Deliveries1:2851
Wickets1:48
Bowl Avg1:48.77
Fivefor1:3
Tenfor1:1
Best Bowling1:6/39
Catches/Stumpings1:9/–
Source:https://www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/player/52381.html Cricinfo
Date:12 November 2020

Kelleb John Laurent (21 June 1941 – 28 April 2010) 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.[1] 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.[2] He took his best match figures against Guyana in 1966-67: 6 for 76 and 5 for 94.[3] Later he served as Dominica's national coach and selector for many years.[4]

Laurent spent his working life as a school teacher in Dominica, including some years as a principal.[5] 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.[6]

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.[5] He also served on the St Joseph village council for many years.[7]

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award from the Dominica government in 2003.[8] 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.[6] 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.[9]

Notes and References

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