(Jamaica Observer) Lawyers representing former West Indies batting stylist Lawrence Rowe have initiated legal action against the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) for withdrawing the naming of the Players’ Pavilion at Sabina Park in his honour.
The Lawrence Rowe Players’ Pavilion was unveiled in June, but last month the JCA rescinded the recognition and cited controversial comments that the retired right-hander made in an interview.
JCA president Lyndel Wright confirmed to the Observer that the local cricket body recently received correspondence from Rowe’s legal team.
“We received written notification from his lawyers on Monday of this week. It is now a legal matter and we will engage our lawyers,” he said via telephone yesterday.
Wright, a former Jamaica all-rounder, declined further comment on the issue, but the Observer understands that Rowe is seeking a re-instatement of the honour.
Rowe represented the region in 30 Test matches between 1972 and 1980 and averaged 43.55 with the bat, scoring seven centuries and seven half- centuries.
He made 214 and 100 not out in his Test debut against New Zealand at Sabina — a feat which remains a world record.
However, he disregarded an international restriction on sporting activity in apartheid-ruled South Africa and led two West Indies’ rebel tours to that country in the early 1980s. He and others on those tours were banned from cricket.
The suspensions were lifted in 1989 with the release from prison of the iconic Nelson Mandela in a rapid movement to dismantle the system of apartheid and to establish democracy in that country.
Under the apartheid regime, racial segregation was enforced by the government of South Africa between 1948 and 1990. The majority black population was not permitted to vote and was subject to abuse by agents of the state.
Despite heavy criticism in some quarters when news broke that Rowe was to be honoured at the nation’s historic headquarters of cricket, the association went ahead on the premise that the former Jamaica captain would offer a public apology for his past indiscretions.
Rowe obliged, but later upset many when he argued in a radio interview that the rebel tours could well have contributed to the dismantling of the fascist regime.
Rowe, who currently resides in the United States, also stated that years from now he may be seen in a similar light to National Hero Paul Bogle.
Following months of public uproar, the JCA issued a statement revoking the honour and blasting the 62-year-old Rowe for his “regrettable pronouncements which suggest a lack of remorse”.
