KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC:
A SABINA PARK funeral is likely for the Jamaica and West Indies cricketer Laurie Williams, who died with his brother in a car crash on Sunday.
Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) sources said Thursday that plans are being made for the funeral service next Wednesday at Sabina Park, Jamaica's famous international cricket ground.
Williams, 33, lost control of his Honda motor vehicle as he tried to avoid a damaged section of the road on the Portmore Causeway, a few miles outside the capital Sunday afternoon, and smashed head-on into an oncoming bus. He was killed on the spot with his 23-year-old brother Kevin Jennison.
In 58 first-class appearances, Williams gathered 2,002 runs with a highest score of 135 and a batting average of 24.71, while taking 170 wickets at an average of 23.17 runs apiece.
He last represented Jamaica in the Red Stripe Bowl tournament last month and played 15 one-day internationals for the West Indies between 1996 and 2001.
His best one-day international bowling figures were three for 16 against New Zealand in 1996, with a highest score of 41.
The Sports Journalist Association of Jamaica (SJAJ) paid tribute Wednesday to Williams.
Laurie was a wonderful cricketer, but more importantly, he was also a wonderful person, SJAJ president Tony Becca said.
Williams is the third international cricketer this year to die tragically following South African Hansie Cronje (plane crash) and England's Ben Hollioake (car crash) and the second Jamaican sports national in consecutive years to die in a car crash, after footballer Stephen Malcolm in January, 2001.
