Sheridan Raynor
CRICKET
Achievements:
Somerset Cup Match Team: Selected by Hall of Fame legend Alma 'Champ' Hunt for the All-time Somerset Cup Match team.
Southampton Rangers: Regularly toured the West Indies and England in the 1950s and 1960s, often serving as captain.
Bermuda's First International Century: Scored 133 not out against the English national side in 1961, followed by a second century later in the tour.
Western Counties: Became the first man to score 1,000 runs in any county competition.
Cup Match: Retired as the second-highest scorer for Somerset with 740 runs and the first man to score a century on the new turf wicket at Somerset.
Biography:
Sheridan Raynor's cricketing prowess was so impressive that Hall of Fame legend Alma 'Champ' Hunt remarked that he "could have played for any test match team in the world." This high praise came when Hunt was selecting his All-time Somerset Cup Match team in 1998, placing Raynor as one of his openers. Raynor credits Hunt and his father for teaching him "all the strokes in the book," making him a dangerous batsman recognized by everyone who saw him play.
West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers requested a trial for Raynor, along with Dennis Wainwright and Lee Raynor, for his Test side. However, the West Indies Cricket Board denied this request, citing that Bermudians were not eligible for the team.
Raynor was a key figure in Bermuda's and Southampton Rangers' tours of the West Indies and England in the 1950s and 1960s, often leading the teams. He was part of the first team that went to Jamaica in 1958, laying the foundation for the 1961 tour to England. Tom Graveney, an English cricket legend, noticed Raynor's talent and requested that he and Wainwright play county cricket in England. Raynor's performance on the tour, including scoring Bermuda's first international century with 133 not out against the English national side, impressed Graveney. Raynor added another century later in the tour, showcasing his ability to perform on the international stage.
Raynor was also an accomplished bowler, known as one of the "Spin Twins" with Eldon Raynor. His left-arm spin bowling was described as being in the style of Gary Sobers. During a 1966 tour of the West Indies, he took 5 for 63 against St Kitts, demonstrating his all-rounder skills.
Raynor's contributions to cricket extended to his performances in England, where he amassed over 900 runs in a county tour. He faced some of the best players in the world, including Glenn Turner and Bob Willis, holding his own against them. Despite being injured by a Bob Willis delivery, Raynor continued to play and delivered respectable performances.
Back home in Bermuda, Raynor played for the dominant Southampton Rangers side, leading them to numerous league championships and Western Counties victories. His record of being the first man to score 1,000 runs in any county competition is a testament to his skill and consistency.
When he retired from Cup Match, Raynor was the second-highest scorer for Somerset with 740 runs. He was also the first man to score a century on the new turf wicket at Somerset. Raynor believed in fierce competition on the field but unity when representing Bermuda.
Legacy:
Sheridan Raynor's cricket career is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. His impressive stats in the Western Counties and Cup Match, combined with his performances against some of the world's best cricketers, solidify his place as one of Bermuda's greatest players. Raynor's legacy is not only defined by his records but also by his sportsmanship and leadership, inspiring future generations of cricketers.