Lloyd, Clive

in full Clive Hubert Lloyd

(born August 31, 1944, Georgetown, British Guiana [now Guyana]) West Indian cricketer, a powerful batsman who, as captain from 1974 to 1985, was largely responsible for the West Indies' extraordinary success in Test (international) play.

Having left school at age 14 to support his family, Lloyd worked as a hospital clerk before becoming a full-time cricketer. He made his Test debut for the West Indies in 1966 and went on to become one of the longest-serving players and captains in Test match history. Like many West Indian cricketers, Lloyd also played county cricket in England.

A tall, hulking left-handed batsman who wore thick glasses and wielded an unusually heavy bat, Lloyd could drive and hook the ball with tremendous power. In a Test career spanning 110 matches, he averaged nearly 47 runs per innings, had 19 centuries (100 runs per innings), and an individual high of 242 runs in one stand. He was also a skilled medium-pace bowler and, early in his career, an excellent fielder.

As captain, he led the West Indies to two World Cup championships and a record 36 Test victories, including 11 consecutive wins. He also introduced the idea of using four fast bowlers—rather than two fast and two spin bowlers—to create an unrelenting attack. After retiring as a player, Lloyd served as a referee, and he remains one of the most respected personalities in the game.