This week’s legend hails from the island of Barbados. I have purposefully selected him as he represents the Caribbean flavour that has so richly enhanced our annual classic over the years.Name: Winston Allen ReidDate of birth: July 11, 1951Start in cricket: My formal career began at the age of 14. We had the BCA and the BCL. I played for the Sun Stars as a wicketkeeper/batsman.My Cup Match career started in 1977. I hit four fours and was one of the seven lbw decisions given that year by Mr. Luther Wilkin. I played up to 1988 and only missed one year.Childhood memories in the game: We used to play on the streets of Barbados. When the cars came along, we just moved the wicket to the side until the car passed. We didn’t have any shoes on our feet but no one worried about the tarmac.We used the wide part of a coconut tree branch for the wicket and the thinner part for the bat. There were two types of balls. One was made of cloth that was wrapped real tight. We used to get the rubber from a bike inner tube and wrap this around the cloth. Sometimes we would use two or three bits of the tube. This made the ball very bouncy. That’s why we learned how to hook at an early age. Some of the bowlers used to chuck the ball, so as a result a few guys tore off old pieces of cardboard and put them under their shirts for protective gear.The other type of ball was made with the wrapped cloth as well. However, we used knitted string around the outside with this type of ball. Those were my best days.Teams played for: I began my career here with Somerset Bridge. During my very first innings, I was struck on the elbow and given out caught. That was my introduction to cricket in Bermuda. I played with Somerset Bridge for one season. Then I moved on to Somerset Cricket Club. I have played Western Counties for Warwick and for the Willow Cuts. The other teams that I have played for were the 1979, 1982, and 1986 ICC teams.Nickname: “Patty Hearst” (I don’t know where that came from) and also “Teddy Bear.”Favourite local match you played in: This would be a game against the Police team. I had my two good friends playing for Police, Barry Walkes and Steve Griffith. I used to be at Barry’s house a lot and one evening he told me that ‘on Sunday you are in for it’. Anyway, when the Sunday came, Campbell Simons and I put on 150 runs for the opening partnership. I eventually scored 128. Barry got a hundred as well that day.Another memorable game took place at the Royal Navy field against Nationals. They scored something like 324 runs and left us little time to get the runs. Our skipper said let’s just play out for the draw. However, I told my partner, Kenny Cann that I wanted to give it a go and if we lost early wickets , then we’d settle for the draw. I scored 134 and we were able to pass their score. That was very satisfying.Best international feat: That would have to be in 1982 when ‘Sad’ Brown and I scored 208 against Malaysia for the opening partnership. We heard that this was a world record for a 60-overs game. Interestingly enough, the record stood for one day. Zimbabwe surpassed this record the very next day in their tournament game.I also enjoyed a match against Holland in 1986. I opened the batting and scored 50 runs. It was a see-saw battle all the way but we eventually won by a close margin.Favourite venue: The Wellington Oval. The pitch is usually pretty good down there.Favourite international player: Ricky Ponting. I think that he is technically sound and he has so much time to play the ball. He gets into position so early.Number one supporter: Mr. Byer, a Police inspector in Barbados. He looked out for me. He believed in me and encouraged me. He helped me to move from the BCL to the BCA. I reported to him every week. Needless to say, I behaved myself.The other big supporter that I had was my brother. We would talk on the phone before a match and he would always tell me to do good.Pre-match routine(s): I took up squash and in respect to Cup Match preparations, I would start playing squash in January. I also did a lot of “going in the water” (ocean). You notice, I didn’t say swimming in the water as I can’t swim. I would stand in the water and move around.Favourite dish while playing: Nothing in particular. I liked food, so it really didn’t matter.Biggest regret in your career: It would have been every West Indians’ dream to play Test cricket. I didn’t get a chance to do this. I left Barbados at a young age, 21. I think if I had stayed there I might have made it. I spoke to some people just before I left and they told me that they could have got me a contract to play in England.I guess though when you think about it, I came here and got the chance to travel extensively around the world, so . . .Any superstitions: NoneFunniest thing you have seen in cricket: It happened at Somerset Cricket Club. A guy hit the ball clean over the club for a six and the umpire signalled a four. I stood there and said “Wow!” The other umpire had to go over to his partner and tell him that the ball went for a six.Hobbies: Playing squash.A key to my success: Commitment and passion for the game. I loved playing cricket and I worked hard at my game.Advice to today’s players: Commit yourself and have a purpose when you go training. Otherwise you are just playing to play. It has to mean something. Try to learn something at each session. If you haven’t learned something then that session was a failure.* * * *Winston was a delight to watch. He was a stroke player with a penchant for hooking bouncers.Two stories must be told about Winston.The first transpired in 1981 at the Wellington Oval. My father, the St. George’s groundsman at the time, was given specific orders to “doctor” the pitch. When the Somerset contingent arrived at the Wellington Oval that year, they found a pitch that was wet at one end (for one Clarence Parfitt’s benefit) and hard, dry and grassy at the other end (for our speed merchant, Adrian King).“Bojangles”, my dad, chuckled as he told the Somerset folks that the rain cloud had settled and released precipitation exactly over one half of Wellington Oval. To make a long story short, the plan backfired. One Winston Reid proceeded to hit Bermuda’s all-time greatest bowler, Clarence Parfitt, all about Wellington Oval that day as he amassed 80 odd. St. George’s suffered a huge defeat that year, losing by nine wickets.Finally, Winston recalled a story that exemplified his love for the game. His mother, just before leaving for work, would articulate the day’s chores to her sons. Needless to say, as soon as she was out the door to leave for work, Winston was right behind, going off to play cricket. When he arrived home from playing cricket all day, his chores weren’t done and he received some serious licks for not attending to his duties.The next day came and his mother again reminded him of his domestic responsibilities. After his mother left for work, Winston was once again faced with the dilemma: Licks versus cricket. A young Winston, with a strong passion for the game, decided once again, “I’ll take the licks, I’ve got to go play some cricket.” So out the door he went, knowing full well what awaited him upon his return.Cup Match stats: 19 innings, 2 not outs, 345 runs, Highest score 82.