West Indies cricket legend Joel Garner is set to be honored during Caribbean Week in New York, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). The 6’8″ former Windies fast bowler will be recognized for his impressive career during a Cricket Ceremony and Watch Party at the S’Aimer NYC Restaurant in midtown Manhattan on June 17. This event is supported by Barbados Tourism Marketing, Inc.
Garner, known as “Big Bird,” was a dominant force in cricket during the 1970s and 1980s, with his incredible pace, bounce, and yorkers that often left stumps flying. He boasted an impressive average of 20.97 among bowlers with 200 or more Test wickets. Garner played his final Test in 1987 alongside fellow legends like Courtney Walsh, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, and Colin Croft.
The ceremony honoring Garner will be attended by CTO Chairman Kenneth Bryan, the Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands, and Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill. The event will also feature a live stream of the West Indies vs. Afghanistan ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match happening in St. Lucia.
Rosa Harris, the director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands and Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors, emphasized the importance of recognizing cricket and sports in tourism development. She highlighted the invaluable contributions of legends like Garner in promoting the Caribbean region. Caribbean Week in New York aims to celebrate the rich sporting history of the Caribbean and honor those who have made significant contributions to the world of cricket.