Bermuda Cricket Board president Lloyd Smith paid tribute and offered his condolences to family and friends of local legend Winston Reid.

The late Somerset Cup Match and Bermuda star batter recently passed away at age 75 following a bout with illness.

Smith said Bermuda has lost a “true legend” and “steadfast servant” of the game who left his mark on the local game.

“On behalf of the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) Executive Board, staff, and the entire Bermuda Cricket Board family, I extend our deepest condolences to Winston Reid's family, friends and loved ones,” Smith said in a written statement.

“Winston was a titan of Bermudian cricket. As a prolific opening batter, he set standard after standard at the crease, consistently demonstrating technical excellence, mental fortitude and immense pride in representing his adopted island home.

“His international contributions — most notably as part of Bermuda’s pioneering squads in the 1979, 1982, and 1986 ICC Trophy tournaments — helped lay the very foundation for Bermuda's footprint on the global cricket stage.

“His commitment to local domestic cricket was equally legendary. Whether anchoring innings in domestic leagues or making his mark in the historic Cup Match classic for Somerset Cricket Club, Winston possessed one of Bermuda's sharpest cricket minds.

“When his playing days came to an end, Winston seamlessly transitioned into coaching, mentoring and administrative roles. As a head coach, national selector, and tireless advocate for the game, he dedicated countless hours to nurturing young talent and instilling the principles of discipline, fitness and passion for cricket. He leaves behind a generation of players whose careers were directly shaped by his guidance, patience and deep love for the sport.

“Bermuda cricket has lost a true legend, a mentor and a steadfast servant to the game. Winston’s legacy will forever be etched into the history of our grounds, our clubs and our hearts.

“May he rest in peace.”

Reid made three appearances for Bermuda at the ICC Trophy in 1979, 1982 and 1986.

The opening batter held the record for the highest individual tally (128) by a local batter at the ICC Trophy for 23 years before Janeiro Tucker cracked 132 against the United States in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2005 to clinch Bermuda’s spot in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

He was also Bermuda’s leading scorer at the ICC Trophy, stroking 697 runs at an average of 36.68 until being eclipsed by Clay Smith (725).

Reid also shared in what was believed to be a record 211-run opening partnership with Somerset Cup Match team-mate Gladstone “Sad” Brown who predeceased him.

He later opened the Bermuda batting with star wicketkeeper-batter Ricky Hill, who fondly recalls facing the new ball with his late team-mate at the ICC Trophy.

“Winston Reid was my opening batting partner for Bermuda in ICC tournaments. Our target in the first ten overs was one hundred, which was a very aggressive approach,” he said.

“I clearly remember his cover drive was the textbook. He was a very reliable leg break bowler and a real intellectual when debating cricket.”

Hill also has fond memories he shared with Reid in his native Barbados.

“I remember touring Barbados and getting a ride with Reid in a rental car to Kensington Oval to watch the Test match,” he said.

“He was so excited he parked the car and left the key in the car, which was running when we came back to the parking lot.”

Reid made 11 appearances in Cup Match, scoring 345 runs in 19 innings with a high score of 82, and was a member of Randy Horton’s famous 1979 Cup Match team that ended St George’s near-two-decade stranglehold on the coveted trophy at Somerset Cricket Club.