When The Lion of Barbados was chosen as the title for a Desmond Haynes biography it was to some degree a reflection of his middle name, Leo, but above all it was a defining reference to his strength of character and his indomitable spirit. Just like any other self-respecting lion, neither Desmond Haynes the man nor Desmond Haynes the cricketer would ever allow himself to be subdued or beaten down.
Born in Barbados on the 16th February 1956, Desmond Leo Haynes grew up in the Holders Hill area of St. James, a renowned breeding ground for good cricketers. He successfully passed through the ranks of schoolboy, club and regional cricket before making his international debut for the West Indies in 1978, against the Australians in Trinidad. From that day forward Desmond Haynes committed himself to working hard at his chosen profession, gradually establishing himself as one of the finest opening batsmen the game has ever seen. He always played to win, giving no quarter and asking for none, yet he also competed fairly, with a smile on his face and laughter in his heart.
With his West Indies opening partner, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond set many records, providing the foundation for the unparalleled success of the great West Indies side of the 1980's. Indeed Haynes and Greenidge scored a total of 5,483 Test runs batting together, a massive 3,000 runs more than their nearest challengers, making them arguably the game's best ever opening pair and certainly the most prolific.
Desmond Haynes also played for Middlesex in England and Western Province in South Africa, representing both sides with great distinction. Being the true professional that he was, Desmond not only performed to the best of his ability on the pitch but also behind the scenes, as a coach and mentor, and as a highly respected ambassador for his clubs.
Desmond Haynes played his last match for the West Indies in 1994 and retired in 1997. Cricket remained a big part of his life as he still had a burning desire to put his substantial knowledge back into the game . Desmond has been Chairman of Selectors of the Barbados Cricket Association, President of Carlton Cricket Club, Secretary of the West Indies Players Association and he is currently a Director of the West Indies Cricket Board, where he sits on a West Indies "Win World Cup" Committee.
Desmond Haynes is also a Senator and the Chairman of the National Sports Council. Whenever he finds free time from his many cricket and civic duties, Desmond loves to play golf, a game that he has enjoyed and excelled in ever since he was a boy on Holders Hill.
Truth be told, Senator Desmond Leo Haynes, one of the world's greatest ever opening batsmen, is still a Holders boy, he is still The Lion of Barbados and he is still smiling and full of laughter.
Article written in 2006 and compliments of "Ins and Outs of Barbados" Magazine
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