JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board is saddened to hear of the passing of its former president and secretary, Captain Peter Short, following a lengthy illness in Barbados. He was 89.
Short was the longest serving president of the Barbados Cricket Association between 1973 and 1993 before resigning to take up the presidency of the then West Indies Cricket Board of Control which he held until 1996.
“The Directors, management and staff of the WICB send our collective, heartfelt condolences to the Short family and pledge to honour his life and legacy,” said WICB president Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron.
“He was an extraordinary man. There are many in the Barbados and West Indies cricket community who will deeply mourn his passing, as his was a life of service, compassion and excellence.”
Cameron said: “Capt. Short was a powerful voice in the elevation of the game in the region for more than three decades and he will always be remembered fondly for his contribution to its development.
“Although Capt. Short was a military man, this was not reflected in his style of leadership. Rather, he believed in diplomacy and team work which was the hallmark of his time in charge of the game in Barbados and West Indies.”
Between 1966 and 1971, he also served in the post of secretary under the presidency of fellow Barbadian Noel Peirce, like himself and the first WICBC President Sir Harold Austin, were members of the Wanderers Cricket Club, one of the oldest in Barbados and the Caribbean.
He was first elected to the board of management of the BCA in 1964 and became its president, when he succeeded Eric Inniss, who died suddenly in office. Only twice during his leadership of the BCA was Short challenged for the post.
Peter Desmond Bowen Short was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1926 before he moved with his family to Barbados, where his interest in the game grew.
He was a right-handed opening batsman, who played for Wanderers in the Barbados club competition, the British Army during his service between 1945 and 1957, as well as for Northumberland in the minor counties championship in England.
In 1989, Short was awarded Barbados’ Silver Crown of Merit for his contribution to cricket.
Known for his distinctive handle-bar moustache, he was a beloved radio commentator and his name was affixed – along with the World-renowned Tony Cozier and local sports media legend O.S. Coppin – to the Media Centre when the World-famous Kensington Oval in Bridgetown was reconstructed ahead of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Short was predeceased by his wife Ann, but leaves to mourn his son Walter, daughters Sally and Susan, along with four grandchildren, family and countless friends.
