I extend apologies to all cricket-loving readers for the tardiness of Cup Match Legends this year. Truth be told, I have been engrossed in helping with the coaching of the St George’s Cup Match team, and was frustrated by having the planned first interview repeatedly postponed and then cancelled.

While interviewing Campbell Simons, it was interesting to note the many things that we had in common: he was a Cup Match opening batsman and a captain (1976, 1977), we enjoy the exact same hobbies and engaged in the same pre-match routine before the annual classic. Similarly, we both have an Indian batsman as our favourite player, but to my surprise, his is not Virat Kohli.

One fact, however, that must surely set Simons apart from every other player in the history of the annual classic is this: he recorded a duck in his very first innings and a scored a century, 111 not out, in his final one. Imagine that; talk about riding off into the sunset on a high note.

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Name: Campbell DeCosta Simons.

Born: January 31, 1943.

Start in cricket: My early cricketing days began at the Southampton Glebe Primary School. In my later years, I participated in the Colts Cup Match for Somerset.

Length of cricket career: I started playing senior cricket for the Police Recreation Club in 1961, a year after joining the Bermuda Police Force as a cadet. In respect to the annual Cup Match, I made my debut in 1966 and scored a duck in the first innings and 43 not out in the second innings. I batted at No 5 in the first innings and was extremely nervous while waiting so long to go in to bat. I had the jitters. I asked to go in at No 3 for the second innings and, after doing so well, I soon moved up to the opening bat position. For that 1966 Cup Match, Somerset took five colts. Joining me was Randolph “Shorty” Spencer, Reggie Tucker, Clyde Best and Kenny Cann. My Cup Match career ended in 1978. I scored a century in that match and shared in a 98-run, tenth-wicket partnership with Randy Horton.

Role on the team: Opening batsman and wicketkeeper.

Childhood memories of the game: I played a lot of cricket on the West End Primary School field with Reggie Tucker, Joe Bailey and Randy Horton. All of us went on to play in the annual Cup Match classic.

Teams played for: Police, Willow Cuts, Somerset, Somers Isles Cricket League selects and Bermuda Wanderers.

Nickname: Blackie.

Favourite local match played in: That would have to be a match at the Somerset Cricket Club against the Devonshire Recreation Club in 1970. At that time the Rec were a very powerful team. In their line-up were persons such as Lionel Thomas, Cal “Bummy” Symonds and Charlie Daulphin. There were bets going on around the field as to who would make more runs, Lionel Thomas or Colin Blades. As it turned out, Blades was out for one and Lionel for a duck. We were “knocked down” for 99 and we dismissed them for 36.

Best international feat: An American team came here and I made 133 against them. In the return fixture, in the USA, I made 103.

Favourite venue: I’ll have to go with my home venue, Somerset Cricket Club. Internationally, I played at the Oval in Surrey, the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and at the current Test ground in Antigua.

I also had the privilege of practising in the indoor nets at Lord’s. While in the West Indies, I had the opportunity to play against Sir Vivian Richards, just before the start of his involvement on the Test scene.

Favourite international player: That would be Glenn Turner, the New Zealander. I emulated a shot of his. It was a cut drive. It was called the Turner shot. I also liked to play off my pads; that was my bread and butter. Today my favourite player would have to be Rohit Sharma of India. He makes cricket shots look so easy.

Toughest opponent: Without doubt, Clarence Parfitt. He was phenomenal. Between 1966 and 1978, he must have got me out at least eight or nine times. There was no one like him. I would go to sleep thinking about how I would get on with him. My biggest mistake was trying to attack him. I eventually realised that I had to wait for a bad ball. It was mind over matter. The thing is he was so consistent.

Number one supporter: My mom, Gladys. She reminded me to play the game hard, but to play it clean.

Pre-match routine: When I started playing Cup Match, I would go for a swim down at Herman’s Bay with Reggie Tucker, Joe Bailey and Randy Horton.

Favourite dish while playing: None, really.

Biggest regret in your career: I had two main disappointments during my time playing cricket. One transpired during the 1970 Cup Match when I took a catch off Clarence Parfitt while wicketkeeping. He started to walk, but Rupert Scotland shouted to him: “Clarence, where are you going?” The umpire at that end, Anthony “Sonny” Roberts, did not give him out. Rupert and Clarence went on to establish a new tenth-wicket partnership record of 102. The second disappointment occurred at the Wellington Oval in 1977. We had St George’s six down for 32. Quinton Sherlock missed stumping Lionel Thomas. He went on to score a majestic 154 and, of course, saved the game for St. George’s.

Any superstitions: None, really.

Funniest thing you have seen in cricket: I had so many. I had a lot of enjoyable moments. One thing that comes to mind is how the players of today get so mad when they are given out. They need to understand that sometimes they are actually out and are not given out.

These things even themselves out. But yet the players get so upset. I do have a laugh when I see Lionel Thomas and he always reminds me: “I’m still counting.” (Lionel had the misfortune to drop a catch in the covers offered by Campbell during his final Cup Match innings in 1978.)

Hobbies: Deep-sea fishing and playing cards.

A key to your success: I attribute my success to my coaches. I was fortunate to have three very fine coaches. Alma “Champ” Hunt, he made me mentally tough. He would always advise me to “find a way to work it out”. My other two coaches were Tom Boggie and Charles “Buck Juice” Swan. Along with Calvin “Pepe” Hansey, “Buck Juice” was another great bowler. I could close my eyes and put my gloves in position, and he would hit them. He was also a great captain. He taught me respect for the game and discipline. I also received great advice from Woodgate Simmons. He told me that no one remembers 70s. He wanted me to make hundreds.

Advice to today’s cricketer: Get fit. I believe that a lot of today’s cricketers are not fit. In respect to the bowlers, I don’t think they hold a line consistently enough.

Motto you believe in: Always look for higher achievements, and play the game hard, but play it clean.

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In respect to achievements, Campbell shared in two very noteworthy partnerships. He held the first-wicket partnership record of 138 with Kenny Cann for several years. He also was involved in that tenth-wicket partnership of 98 with Randy Horton.

On a final note, it was most interesting to learn that because of his family roots, Campbell Simons seemed destined to become a Cup Match cricketer. He has numerous relatives that have graced this most prestigious event.

They include uncles Edward “Blackie” Simons, Alex “Totty” Brown, Nathaniel Proctor, Joe Proctor and Nox Proctor, and cousin George “Firebird” Simons.

Surely, they must have been proud to witness young Campbell walk off the Somerset Cricket Club field undefeated with a century under his belt in his farewell innings.