Cricket legend reunited with university team mates

A world cup winning cricketer returned to Trent Bridge after being honoured by The University of Nottingham.

Former West Indies and Nottinghamshire cricketer and Nottingham University Business School alumnus Deryck Murray (Industrial Economics 1972) shared the secrets of his remarkable career after being presented with the Alumni Laureate Award.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Deryck was part of the world-famous West Indies side that won both the 1975 and 1979 World Cup trophies, keeping wicket for the fearsome line up of West Indies fast bowlers.

Off the field he held an equally impressive career, serving as diplomat in the Foreign Service of Trinidad and Tobago and as a representative to the United Nations.

The Alumni Laureate Awards recognise alumni who have achieved excellence in their chosen field. Deryck was presented the award as part of the University’s fortnight of graduation ceremonies.

He said: “When you do things in your lifetime, you don’t do it for awards or for selfish gain, but it’s nice to be recognised and appreciated.

“Knowing that somebody has noticed what you have achieved is a great honour. When you think of how many graduates go through the University and you’re singled out for an award like this, it really makes it very special.”

Deryck then gave a talk to 200 hundred University of Nottingham alumni and cricket fans at Trent Bridge, a ground he came to know well while playing for Nottinghamshire Cricket Club from 1966 to 1969.

Explaining how his career in cricket took off as a 19-year-old on tour with the West Indies in England, he recalled how he always had in the back of his mind that he needed to ‘get a proper job’ outside of cricket, motivating him to study Industrial Economics at The University of Nottingham, graduating in 1972.

He spoke of his time as a diplomat in the Foreign Service of Trinidad and Tobago and his involvement with the United Nations. Now chair of the Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute, he talked about corruption in sport and how his degree had played its part throughout his professional career.

Following his talk, he took questions from the floor, including questions from his former class and team-mates on the 1970s West Indies side.