In recent times its battles with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have taken centre stage but, yesterday, the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) gave a peek at its humanitarian side.

At its Edward Street, Port of Spain headquarters, WIPA held a press conference to announce its financial assistance to one of Trinidad and Tobago’s past cricketing lights, former captain Prince Bartholomew.

WIPA presented wheelchair-bound Bartholomew with a cheque for $30,000 to assist in his medical expenses in the presence of his wife Mona and former T&T teammate Richard Gabriel, who has also lent support to the ailing Bartholomew.

The 72-year-old former all-rounder—a handy batsman and a fierce fast-medium bowler—had his left leg amputated above the knee last year, a casualty of poor circulation.

Bartholomew is also hoping to have a prosthetic leg made to help him move around as he did before.

WIPA president and CEO Dinanath Ramnarine spoke of Bartholomew in glowing terms, describing the ex-cricketer as “The Glenn McGrath of his time”.

“There should be no doubt that Prince Bartholomew is a legend of Trinidad and Tobago cricket,” Ramnarine said. “He is one of only four men to have captained Trinidad and Tobago to regional first class glory. Prince also played on two championship-winning teams...only a handful of men in Trinidad and Tobago can claim that accolade. ”

Ramnarine revealed he only learned of Bartholomew’s health woes after Andre Baptiste and Nasser Khan highlighted them in the media.

“WIPA is not a rich organisation, we’re always begging for help, but this is something we could not let pass…,” Ramnarine stressed. “This is a time when we need to do things to help one another. It is very difficult for us (financially), but when things happen in your family you find the money, and this is one of those times.”

Ramnarine also paid tribute to Bartholomew’s wife and Gabriel for supporting the ex-T&T skipper and called on corporate Trinidad and Tobago to try and further assist Bartholomew with his expenses. The WIPA head said getting corporate support was the main reason for yesterday’s press conference.

“We trust that this is an opportunity for awareness that this can happen to anybody…it’s also to make awareness so others will contribute,” Ramnarine added.

Bartholomew was noticeably eager at the prospect of being able to walk again and shared his appreciation for WIPA’s gesture.

“You have made a great contribution to my plight and I am grateful (for) this. With the help of Mr Gabriel, I sincerely hope that things will improve and my health will be looked after in a proper manner. I thank you most sincerely…”

But Bartholomew was also in the mood for light banter with Gabriel.

“(Gabriel) tell me I’m bowling no-balls now,” Bartholomew said with a laugh as the two exchanged jokes.

Bartholomew ended his 11-year regional first class career in 1979 with a record of 141 wickets and 1,598 runs in 57 matches, including nine fifties, his best being 95 not out.

He was also a member of the successful Paragon team that captured the national club championship three years running, from 1970-1972.

In 1971, Bartholomew took four for 66 against captain Garfield Sobers’ Barbados to help the national team to a five-wicket victory and skippered Trinidad and Tobago to the joint regional four-day title with the Barbadians in 1976.

In that season, he made vital contributions of 53 and six wickets for 70 runs to help T&T beat Guyana by 113 runs.