Logan Van Beek, who is in the New Zealand team in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup that started in his native Christchurch last night (east Caribbean time), is the grandson of 85-year-old Simpson “Sammy” Guillen who kept wicket for the West Indies in five Tests on the 1951-52 tour of Australia and New Zealand before settling in New Zealand for whom he played three Tests, all against the West Indies on their 1956 series there.
A tall, hard-hitting right-hand batsman and fast bowler, van Beek, 19, was also in the New Zealand team as a point guard in the World Under-19 Basketball championships in Auckland last July.
“He’s got sport in his blood and probably a little of the West Indian flair,” Guillen, still fit and active, said from his home in Christchurch yesterday. “My father, Victor, and my brother, Noel, played cricket for Trinidad just as I did and I now see that Noel’s grandson Justin is in the Trinidad team at present.”
“Logan has certainly made me very proud,” he added. “He’s a good lad and we’re very close. I like to think I’ve had a little to do with his development.”
Van Beek is the son of Guillen’s daughter, Sally, and husband Verdi. (TC)
