NEWS of the death of Richard ‘Danny Germs’ Austin has been met with sadness by those in the cricket fraternity who knew him.

Austin, a highly regarded sportsman who played cricket for Jamaica and the West Indies, was said to have died in hospital yesterday at age 60 after falling ill.

Though he was said to be proficient in several sporting disciplines, it was cricket which brought him fame.

His former Jamaica captain Maurice Foster said Austin, who batted at the top of the order, bowled medium pace or off-spin and was also a capable wicketkeeper, was a special talent.

“Richard was a unique sportsman…he distinguished himself in the Senior Cup and also playing for Jamaica,” he told the Sunday Observer.

Foster had fond memories of Austin, the cricketer.

“In a game against [hosts] Trinidad & Tobago, I decided to take the gamble of bowling Richard Austin, who was not the recognised off-spinner, and he took seven wickets for Jamaica to win the match outright and that was the first time he was bowling off-spin for Jamaica.

“He was also the type of batsman who feared no one. He believed in himself and regardless of who the person was, he was willing to take them on. He was a brilliant fieldsman as well and many people recall one of the most brilliant catches… one he took in a Test match in Trinidad.”

Foster, who described Austin as a “good table tennis player” and a “quality footballer”, said he had some memorable partnerships batting with the tall and wiry batsman.

While quantifying Austin’s love for playing sports, Foster, 71, recounted Austin playing cricket at Sabina Park for Jamaica and requesting to leave the post-day team meeting to turn out for Arnett Gardens in a football match at the National Stadium.

“After a full day of cricket he went to play for Arnett Gardens and he scored a goal the same night.”

Austin played two Tests for the regional side, both coming in March 1978 versus Australia. He scored 2,097 runs in 38 first-class matches and averaged 33.82. He struck four centuries, including a highest of 141, to go with 14 half-centuries. Austin took 73 wickets at 31.21 with a best of 8-71.

He was a part of the controversial Kerry Packer World Series in the late 1970s.

He went on to sign for the 1982-83 rebel tour of South Africa and was subsequently banned from playing cricket. Life went downhill for Austin and he became addicted to drugs.

With the help of loved ones and concerned former teammates, he was rehabilitated on a number of occasions, but the sobriety was not sustained.

“He fell on hard times as we all know. It’s most unfortunate that someone of his quality ended up the way he did and I’m really saddened by the news of his death,” said Foster.

Courtney Francis, the chief executive officer of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) and a former St Catherine CC player, said the passing of Austin, who represented Kensington CC, came as a sad surprise.

Francis said he played in the same team as Austin in a non-competitive game not too long ago.

“We in the cricket fraternity we are saddened by it. We know of Austin’s contribution to the game and it is one that forms part of our history.

“Recently I was part of a game with him so I know he was still playing. It comes as a surprise because I didn’t know he was so ill and now he has passed. We at the JCA want to offer our condolences to his family and friends and members of the cricket fraternity,” he said.

The local cricket CEO added that the JCA “would want to make a contribution in any way or fashion” to the funeral arrangement that it can.