Colin Croft, John Holder, John Sheppard visit ailing former WI colleague Vanburn Holder
Aug 06, 2025
Vanburn Holder
Kaieteur Sports – Former Guyana, Lancashire CCC & WI fast bowler Colin Croft, former Barbados, Hampshire CCC fast bowler & ICC Umpire John Holder, and former Barbados, Kent CCC & WI All-rounder John Sheppard, went to visit former Barbados, Worcestershire CCC & WI fast bowler & 1st Class Umpire, and 1975 ICC CWC Winner, Vanburn Holder, who will be 80 in October of this year, at his hospice hospital, in Worcester, last week.
Croft, Holder and Sheppard had been attending the excellent UK PCA Former Players Day at Worcestershire CCC, during the WCCC v Kent CCC county game.
According to Croft, “Vannie” as Holder is fondly called by his friends and playmates, has some undisclosed but very debilitating situations with his legs, as it has been very difficult for him to actually get up to walk.
The trio were picked up and driven to the hospice hospital by Vanburn Holder’s wife, Chris.
Croft noted that, “Vannie” was in truly great spirits with the visit.
Many a good story passed during the at least 90 minutes visit, and “Vannie” certainly enjoyed the visit and visitors.
Colin Croft (centre) with John Holder and John Sheppard during their visit to Vanburn Holder.
Hopefully, Vanburn Holder will still be able to get up soon, it was hoped.
John Shepard, expressed gratitude to Croft for initiating the trip to see their former colleague and informed that, Holder’s wife, “Chris, was very touched by our visit, and I know Vannie was very overwhelmed by our presence. It was great to witness the connection between him and her, and I hope it was a fillip to him to know friendships are special and we have his back despite his circumstances. You made his day, so thank you for reassuring Chris, “he’s not alone.”
According to information on Cricinfo: Vanburn Holder was a fast-medium bowler in between two eras where West Indies cricket was dominated by fast men. Originally a change bowler to Charlie Griffith and Wes Hall, he relied on accuracy and determination and in 40 Tests took 109 wickets. He toured England in 1969 – with mediocre success – and again in 1973 when he was an integral part of the bowling attack as West Indies ended six-and-a-half years without a series win.
In 1973-74 he hammered a career-best 122 for Barbados, and in 1974 was a key part of Worcestershire’s Championship-winning side. In 1974-75 he took 6 for 39 in the final Test in India to wrap up another series win, but as the West Indies new young fast bowlers emerged, he slipped out of the picture.
He returned when many of them joined World Series Cricket, and in 1977-78 took 6 for 28, his Test-best, against Australia in Trinidad. That won him a place on the tour of India in 1978-79 but he did little of note and retired shortly afterwards. He was appointed as a first-class umpire in England in 1992.
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