OTD: Controversial fast bowler Roy Gilchrist was born, who sent home from India tour

There are multiple dangerous fast bowlers in the history of cricket; some of them are called the legends. But the case of Roy Gilchrist was something different. Till today, he is counted as one of the fastest pacers the cricket world ever witnessed.

Sadly, more than his bowling skills, Roy established himself as one of the most controversial cricketers ever. During the West Indies' tour to India in 1958-59, he was sent back home in disgrace. His temperament on and off the field and the bowling approach he possessed became a headache for the West Indies.

After the India tour, he was never allowed to play any Test match. Roy Gilchrist was born on June 28, 1934, at Seaforth, St. Thomas, Jamaica. In an analysis, Michael Manley said, "Burdened by those tensions that so often run like scars across the landscape of the personalities of people who come from poverty."

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Labelled as the 'nasty' bowler 

Roy's childhood was dependent on a sugar plantation, which made his life harsher. In his brief Test career, the right-hander claimed attractive numbers of wickets. In 13 matches he snatched 57 wickets with a best figure of 6/55. During his career as an active cricket player, he often used beamers to unsettle the batters. Later, he was labeled as the 'nasty' bowler. During that tour in India with the West Indies, he took 26 wickets in 4 Tests. 

In the second test of the series, which was in Eden Gardens, he picked up a total of 9 wickets. Despite all the match-winning performances, West Indies cricket management decided to send Roy Gilchrist back home. After that, he never donned the national team jersey again. It was reported that Roy had a series of contretemps with his captain, Gerry Alexander. The controversial figure of cricket died at the age of 67 due to Parkinson's disease.