Former Dominican and Windwards Island cricketer, Mervin Durand, is dead. The 63-year-old sports icon died after battling an undisclosed illness. In March, Durand revealed from his hospital bed that he had been on admission at the hospital for two months, and he solicited for financial help and prayers.
Durand died peacefully on April 22, 2023. Although the role the government and the Dominica Cricket Association (DCA) played in his hospitalization and recovery is not known, DCA President Clement Marcellin mourned his loss and lamented that Durand was an iconic sportsman.
The Dominican cricketing fraternity morn the loss of Mervin Durand who was a left-arm bowler who could bat. He played in one List A and four First Class matches for the Windward Island from 1989- 1991. The DCA extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Durand.
Clement Marcellin, President of Dominica Cricket Association
On the second day of the NCCU Premiere League match between Northern Stars Sports Club and St. Paul’s Cricket Club at the Botanic Gardens, the players observed a moment of silence to honour the passing of the iconic cricketer. Marcellin said the DCA and Dominica as well as the Windward Islands will miss Durand.
Born on August 27, 1960, Durand played in one List A and four 1st class matches for the Windward Islands from 1989-1991. He also featured in the match played against England in St. Lucia where he recorded 7/15 – an exceptional feat that went into his sports records. Many sports lovers across and outside Dominica have taken to the social media to mourn Durand’s demise and condole his family.
Meanwhile, president of the Dominica Football Association (DFA), Glen Etienne, has announced that the association will award a scholarship to a teenager from La Plaine. The scholarship is to commemorate the 10-year death anniversary of Kirt Hector and Norran Jno Hope. Hector was a former national football coach and Hope was a national football player.
Hector and Hope died in an accident that occurred on Friday, April 19, 2013, along the Pont Casse road. Their car ran into a gorge worsened by erosion from a heavy rain that fell in the previous days. Etienne said, during a candlelight vigil in La Plaine on Wednesday, that Hector and Hope should be remembered for their contribution to football growth in Dominica.
I know there is a monument…yes they have gone, but more needs to be done so that the kids of tomorrow can remember that these guys were national players. From the DFA standpoint, we will recognize or give a scholarship to a young lady or a young boy of La Plaine in the name of Kirt and Norran. It is nice to be present here tonight to celebrate the remembrance of both Kirt and Norran. Some persons have done so much that we need to remember what they have done.
Glen Etienne, President of Dominica Football Association (DFA)
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