![Bernard Julien passed away at 75 [Source: @ICC/x.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1759734391797_BernardJulienpassesaway.jpg?type=hq)
Bernard Julien passed away at 75 [Source: @ICC/x.com]
West Indies cricket has lost one of its golden sons. Bernard Julien, the stylish all-rounder who played a critical role in helping the West Indies lift their first-ever Men’s World Cup in 1975, has passed away at the age of 75 in Valsayn, Northern Trinidad.
Julien was one of the heartbeat players who shaped that history victory in the 1975 World Cup final. A left-arm seamer who could swing the ball both ways, a handy lower-order bat and a livewire in the field, he was the complete package.
Julien, the 1975 World Cup hero for WI against SL and NZ
When the first Men’s ODI World Cup rolled out in 1975, few expected it to define careers the way it did. For Bernard Julien, it was the stage where he displayed his class to the world.
He bowled with absolute venom and snagged 4/20 against Sri Lanka in the group stage and followed it up with a stunning 4/27 in the semi-final against New Zealand, two performances that played a massive role in taking Clive Lloyd’s West Indies to the final.
And when the big day came, Julien made sure to leave his mark again. Against Australia in the 1975 World Cup final at Lord’s, he scored an important 26 off 37 balls and helped West Indies post a competitive total before they clinched the trophy.
Clive Lloyd’s heartfelt words
Julien’s captain and fellow legend Clive Lloyd remembered him fondly, not just as a player but as a person who embodied the spirit of West Indies cricket.
“He always gave you over 100 per cent. 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. We all had total respect for him,” Lloyd told the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian.
Lloyd also recalled the joy and humility Julien carried throughout his career.
“He enjoyed himself and was loved by everyone around. I remember we won the Test match at Lord’s and stood there and signed autographs for a long time. He was good for us and was held in high regard everywhere we went.”
A career worth remembering
Julien represented West Indies in 24 Tests and 12 ODIs between 1973 and 1977, a short but sparkling career. In Tests, he scored 866 runs and took 50 wickets while in ODIs he added 86 runs and 18 wickets to his name.
Beyond the stats, though, he was part of an era that defined the West Indies’ swagger: the rhythm, the flamboyance and the unbeatable confidence that made them the most feared team in world cricket.
Cricket West Indies pays tribute
Cricket West Indies president Kishore Shallow led the tributes, honouring Julien’s contributions and the legacy he left behind.
“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,” Shallow said in a Cricket West Indies statement.
He also extended heartfelt condolences to Julien’s loved ones.
“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.”
A legacy that endures
Bernard Julien’s story is about the rise of West Indies cricket. He played during a time when the Caribbean game was finding its rhythm and he helped it dance to a tune the whole world heard.
Gone but never forgotten, Julien will be remembered as a player who bowled his heart out, batted with courage and carried the West Indies flag high.
