Sir Learie Constantine - Cricketer
Learie Nicholas Constantine was born on the 21st September 1901 in Diego Martin Trinidad into a cricketing family. His father Lebrun Constantine played cricket for the West Indies in the early 1900s.
Constantine was one of the first cricketing all-rounders. He was a great at batting, fielding and bowling. During the 1920s Constantine’s performances against visiting English teams earned him a contract with Nelson Cricket Club in the Lancashire League, north west England in 1929. He soon became one of the most influential and best-paid professionals in the league. Constantine was extremely popular.
He played with Nelson Cricket Club between 1929 and 1937 and was one of the first professional Black players in the English leagues. He skill brought crowds to cricket matches. In ten seasons with
Nelson Constantine scored over 7,000 runs and took over 500 wickets helping Nelson dominate the league.
Constantine also played internationally, representing the West Indies. He played in the West Indies first-ever official Test match in 1928, and although the team didn’t perform well overall he was one of the standout players. Constantine went on to play eighteen Test matches with the West Indies between 1928 and 1939.
Sir Learie Constantine passed away in London on the 1st July 1971.
West Indian Cricket Team Scarborough 8th September 1928
Constantine standing in the middle