Bernard Julien, the quick-bowling, free-scoring all-rounder who helped West Indies lift the first men’s World Cup, has died aged 75. The Trinidadian passed away on Saturday in Valsayn, northern Trinidad; his family confirmed the news.
Across 24 Tests and 12 one-day internationals between 1973 and 1977, Julien became a dependable left-arm seamer and a useful middle-order batter. His standout fortnight came at the 1975 World Cup: 4 for 20 against Sri Lanka, 4 for 27 in the semi-final versus New Zealand, then a busy 26 from 37 balls in the final at Lord’s, where Clive Lloyd’s side beat Australia.
“He always gave you over 100 percent. He never shirked his duties, and I could always rely on him with bat and ball. He gave his all every time. What a fine cricketer,” Lloyd told the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian.
Julien’s Test peak arrived two years earlier, also at Lord’s, when he struck 121 against England and followed up with a five-for—cricket shorthand for a five-wicket haul—the next summer at The Oval. Those efforts cemented his reputation as a player for grand stages, even if a succession of knee problems curtailed his pace later on.
Beyond the maroon cap he wore with pride, Julien spent seven summers at Kent, slotting neatly into a county side that prized versatility. His English teammates spoke warmly of his easy manner and sharp sense of humour, though Julien rarely chased headlines.
“We all had total respect for him,” Lloyd added. “He enjoyed himself and was loved by everyone around. I remember we won the Test match at Lords and stood there and signed autographs for a long time, He was good for us and was held in high regard everywhere we went.”
Julien’s story, like several of his era, also brushes against cricket’s more awkward chapters. In 1982-83 he joined a rebel West Indian touring party to apartheid-era South Africa, a decision that effectively ended his international career. Opinions remain mixed; the game has gradually edged towards a more nuanced view.
“As we honour Bernard Julien, we also recognise the importance of reflection and inclusion. The time has come to view that chapter of our history not through exclusion but through understanding,” said Cricket West Indies president Dr Kishore Shallow.
Dr Shallow added: “To the family, friends, and loved ones of Bernard Julien, we extend our deepest condolences. His passing reminds us that a life devoted to purpose never truly leaves us. Cricket West Indies stands with you in this moment of loss, and we hope Bernard knew he was valued and loved by the cricketing family he helped to shape, and that he found peace knowing his contribution will always endure.”
Julien leaves behind a record that does not leap off the statistical page—866 Test runs, 50 wickets—but anyone who saw him glide to the crease or bend the new ball will remember the flair. In a region rich with quicks and stroke-players, he carved out his own unflashy, committed niche. That, teammates insist, was exactly how he liked it.
