Dominica: PM Skerrit attends funeral of Irvine Shillingford

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and President Charles Savarin attended the funeral service of the Dominican-born West Indies cricket player in Roseau, Dominica.

On January 26, 2023, at the age of 78, cricket legend Irvine Theodore Shillingford, also known as Irving Boach Shillingford, passed away. On April 18, 1944, he was born in Dublanc, Dominica.

Shillingford began his profession at the age of 16, according to Wikipedia. Later, he was chosen to play three games of a five-match test series for the West Indies International squad in place of Maurice Foster, who had scored 19 runs from position six in the first Test against Pakistan during the home test series.

Shillingford made test series history by scoring 120 runs against Pakistan’s superior bowling attack. He was the only Dominican cricketer to reach a test century up until this point.

For young people who are interested in cricket, Shillingford is an inspiration. He serves as an inspiration for hard work and dedication not just in Dominica but even outside.

Irving Shillingford, a legendary Dominican cricket player, passed away. Roosevelt Skerrit, the prime minister of Dominica, extended his condolences to his family.

He stated: “We have lost a true icon who offered the Dominican public’s love of cricket immense delight. He served as a shining example of what Dominican athletes playing the most popular sport in the West Indies might accomplish. He was the only Dominican ever to score a test century while playing for the West Indies Cricket Team in 1977–1978 “.

Shillingford participated in 92 games throughout his international career, including 49 games for the Combined Islands and 88 first-class matches. In 1977–1978, he played four tests.

Shilingford’s close friend Monsignor Eustace Thomas gave a brief history of the Dominican cricketer’s early years at his funeral service.

In his remarks, he thanked President Savarin and Prime Minister Skerrit for attending the Funeral of Irving Boach Shillingford, who passed away recently at the age of 78.

Shillingford and Monsignor Thomas have been good friends since 1956. When they were teenagers and young adults, they spent a lot of time together. He noted that in 1956, both went their own ways to pursue their jobs.

Shillingford entered the civil service in 1962, while Monsignor Thomas continued his studies to become a priest at a boys’ school in Roseau.

He also says that he phones his friend Shillingford if he wants a ride somewhere else.

Shillingford is the only Dominican cricketer to have scored a test century, highlighted Monsignor Thomas, who was speaking about his career in the sport. He remarked, “He has no mercy for the ball, whether it is fast, medium, or slow.”

Shillingford’s Funeral was attended by a number of foreign visitors from many nations to pay their respects to the legendary Dominican cricketer. After quitting international cricket, he served the nation for many years as a national selector.

At the end of the Funeral service, PM Skerrit, President Charles, and every guest in the church participated in the Eucharist as a Christian ritual. During the funeral service for Irving Boach Shillingford, Monsignor Thomas and other priests present in the church offered traditional bread and wine.

According to PM Skerrit, he will always be remembered as a brilliant cricketer and person who inspired Dominica’s youth and people all over the world.