ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Although he did not feature in the West Indies playing XI during the inaugural 1975 Cricket World Cup, it did not take long before this powerful Barbadian all-rounder got the opportunity to showcase why he was included in the squad.
Collis King’s presence in the squad represented the depth, versatility, and emerging talent that defined the West Indies’ golden era, resulting in him receiving the well-earned praise and admiration of his peers. This Sunday, King will be among the legends being honoured for his role in that 1975 winning squad, when Cricket West Indies and the West Indies Players’ Association host their awards gala at the Wyndham Grand Barbados.
Selected for his explosive batting and useful medium-pace bowling, King brought balance and flexibility to the squad. At a time when limited-overs cricket was still evolving, the inclusion of dynamic all-rounders like King gave the West Indies the strategic edge of being able to adapt their lineup depending on the conditions and opposition.
While he didn’t take the field during the 1975 matches, King’s role in the squad was still important. Training alongside legends such as Clive Lloyd, Rohan Kanhai, and Sir Viv Richards, King was exposed to a high-performance environment that sharpened his game and prepared him for future international success. His time with the squad served as a valuable apprenticeship, one that would bear fruit in the 1979 World Cup, where he played a starring role in West Indies’ successful title defense, with a memorable 86 in the final.
King represented the next wave of West Indies talent—fearless, physically gifted, and ready to step up when called upon. His inclusion was a clear projection of the future West Indian dominance in world cricket for more than a decade.
The CWI/WIPA Awards Gala takes place on Sunday, June 22 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados, with broadcast coverage beginning at 5:30 PM. Limited fan tickets are available for purchase at www.windiescricket.com.
