PORT-OF-SPAIN (Trinidad), Aug 13: Jack Noreiga, the only West Indies cricketer to take nine wickets in a Test innings, has died at the age of 67.

The Trinidadian off-spinner, who died after complications from stomach surgery, played in four Tests against as stand-in for an out-of-form Lance Gibbs in 1970-71.

His career highlight was a return of 9-95 in the second Test of the series against India, at his home ground the Queen’s Park Oval.

The achievement remains the best by a West Indies bowler and the 13th best ever in Test cricket.

“Lance was going through a bad patch at the time and Jack filled the gap tremendously,” said Sir Garfield Sobers, who was Noreiga’s captain.

“He was a very useful bowler. He flighted the ball, had good control over line and length and turned it.”

“Like most Trinidadians, he enlivened the dressing-room with his humour. I’m saddened to learn of his untimely passing.”

Although he took 17 wickets in all, he lost his place in the Trinidad and Tobago team and spent the rest of his career playing and coaching in club cricket.—PPI