It will be hard to find a more ardent researcher of the game of Cricket and it would become an even tougher ask, to find a more versed and knowledgeable commentator of the wonderful game, who could spit out the pertinent, historical facts, virtually at will.
And as someone also said: “The man has the voice for di ting!”
Stevenson Manners of Hull Ground Gingerland, grew up playing cricket with his older brother Orville, in the family’s backyard and also played in the streets of Hull Ground, with the other boys in the village.
He was a decent all-rounder, bowling slow off cutters and was very stodgy with the bat.
However, his real love came from commentating on the game.
Having listened to the greats of the game, on the radio, over and over again, Hull Ground and its environs became very much alive and alert, as Steve, precariously placed in a tall mango tree, commentated ball by ball, an imaginary game, which involved greats like Geoff Boycott and Michael Holding.
Just listening to him, forced his captive audience to fall in love with the game all over again.
He later left the perch of the mango tree and excelled in the commentary booths at Grove Park and Warner Park and later did reports for radio stations across the region and indeed across the world.
However, not being satisfied that the history of Nevis Cricket has been told, Steve went into deep research to produce a gem of a book, which is a must-read—even if you do not like the game of Cricket.
It is aptly entitled: THE FATHER, SON & OFFSPRINGS.
A book that details the efforts and sacrifices of the FATHER-John E. Howell; the SON-Elquemedo Tonito Willet, the first Leeward islander to make it into the West Indies team.
Incidentally, that is one of the factors that inspired Steve. He is adamant that Willet has certainly not received the accolades due to him.
Then the OFFSPRINGS—those who followed in their footsteps and so special mention would be made of the other six Nevisians who have since worn Windies colours: Derrick Parry, Keith Arthurton, Stuart Williams, Carl Tuckett, Runako Morton and Kieran Powell.
The book will be officially released via Amazon, on February 6th, 2023.
Why February 6th?
That is the 40th birthday of Willet’s eldest son, Tonito and it is also the birth date of a man who has made an indelible impression on Steve, via his music—The Hon. Robert Nesta Marley.
The book details that memorable incident with Livingstone Sargeant and Alford Howell in Antigua, when the Nevis team had to be flown back home at short notice for their own safety.
There is even a mention of ZOLA. The ‘magical’ doll was brought to the Park by William ZUMBI Dore, Martin and the other Gentlemen from Harlem Shelter. Legend has it that when they held up ZOLA, wickets tumbled at Grove Park! Some Kittitians were even convinced that they were ‘working obeah!’
It is understood that ZOLA is still very much ‘alive’ at her Harlem Shelter home.
I agree with Steve: “Anybody who does not make time to purchase a book is not patriotic.”