As Canada prepares for their 2nd visit to the world cup of cricket, their 1st in 24 years, we at the T&DCA home of 40% of team Canada in 1979 and 80% in 2003, would like to pay tribute to past players from our league that represented Canada the 1979 World Cup.
In particular we would like to acknowledge Franklyn Anthony Dennis, born Sept 26, 1947. Batting Style: Right Handed Bat and a useful wicketkeeper. Franklyn is the only member of the 1979 squad that is actively playing competitively in the T&D representing his local club West Indian Cricket of Toronto. Also included in the 1979 world squad is newly elected T&DCA board member Chris Chappell.
At age 55 Franklyn is one of the oldest players and still contributes to his team which competes in the T&D premier division (the highest division in Toronto). ?Franklyn has been one of our most consistent opening batsman, runs producer and backup wicketkeeper for several years?, said Cricket Manager Richard Brown.
When ask what motivates him to continue and what he owes his endurance to? He replied: ?the love of the game? On endurance Franklyn added "To play cricket you have to be physically fit, it is a long and hard game. You must be mentally, physically and spiritually prepared and must enjoy it. Play, and practice with purpose and determination"
Franklyn has also elevated his love and dedication for the game to off the field. He has the attained the highest level cricket coaching certificate in Canada (4 level) and has coach at several levels including local, provincial and national. He is the current under 19 Provincial coach and have led the under 19 National team to various successes in the Nortel and other tournaments. He is also assisting with the preparation of the 2003 CCA W/C squad and is the coaching coordinator for the OCA. A former board member of the T&DCA, Franklyn also give of his time to be an administrator for his local club. In 2001 He was named the under 19 Junior coach of the year for the T&DCA for his work with the West Indian Cricket Club junior program and his involvement with T&DCA.
Along with qualifying for two world cup births, Canada's only other claim to fame in the seventies on the cricket world stage is beating world Champions Australia in 1975 here in Toronto. An unbeaten top score of 57 by Franklyn then 28 led Canada to an unprecedented victory that earn him the nickname ?Mr. Canada?. The Australian team included the likes of Ian Chappel (Captain), Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thompson.
The T&DCA board of governors would like to thank Franklyn and his team mates for having help to put cricket in Toronto and Canada on the world stage and to wish the 2003 South African bound team Canada, success, make us proud guys.
Keep an eye out for the next installment as we reflect on the past, on our journey to forging our future.
