S. C. Guillen To Go Overseas In July

Press, Volume C, Issue 29518, 20 May 1961, Page 5

S. C. Guillen To Go Overseas In July

r FHE St. Albans and Canx terbury cricket teams will be without the services of S. C. Guillen next summer. He will leave on July 7, with his wife and three children, for a visit to the West Indies, and he will not return for a year.

In Trinidad. Guillen intends to play cricket next summer for his old club, Queen’s Park, at Port o' Spain. He will be reunited with his family and friends after an absence of more than nine years. Guillen toured Australia and New Zealand with the West Indies team of 1951-52, and settled in Christchurch at the end of 1952. His batting and wicketkeeping—occasionally his bowling, often his fielding—have been of great benefit to Canterbury and New Zealand cricket. At the end of last

season he announced his retirement from the first-class game, and his absence will be deeply regretted.

For West Christchurch and St. Albans, Guillen has scored runs with regularity, and with spirit In 80 senior championship matches, he has made a total of 4219 runs at an average of 37.3, with seven centuries and 17 half centuries, he has made 121 wicket-keeping dismissals and taken 56 wickets with his bowling. His highest senior score was 179 not out against Old Boys in 1954-55.

Guillen played in 36 Plunket Shield matches for Canterbury, scoring 1747 runs at an average of 29.1. He made two centuries and eight half-centuries, effected 64 wicket-keeping dismissals—easily a Canterbury record—and won thousands of friends with his breezy approach to the game, the vigour and style of his batting. He liked nothing better than a situation which demanded quick scoring. Guillen had a considerable share in the credit for New Zealand's victory over the ■ West Indies in 1956.

His departure is only temporary. but it will be felt. Cricketers in Christchurch will look forward keenly *x> his return for the 1962-63 season.