Joe Solomon will end up in the history of cricket as being the man who made it possible for Test cricket to see its first ever tied Test match. The West Indian star effected a brilliant run out to dismiss Australian player Ian Meckiff in Brisbane to ensure the game ended in a tie.
The former West Indian star played a huge role in the early years of Caribbean cricket when it was becoming the force that it soon became. Joe Solomon was a sturdy middle order batter with the ability to play according to situations.
In a total of 27 test matches, Joe Solomon scored 1326 runs with a best of 100 not out. This was his only Test ton along with 9 half-centuries with an average of 34 and he also claimed 13 catches in his career.
Joe Solomon made his Test debut against India and scored 45 in the first innings and 86 in the 2nd dig. West Indies won the game by a massive margin of 203 runs, his final game was against Australia in Barbados as Joe Solomon scored a mere 7 runs and picked 1 wicket with the ball.
The man who made sure the first tied Test happened
It was the Brisbane Test in 1961 that made history between Australia and West Indies. It was the visiting West Indians who batted first and scored 453 on the boards as Gary Sobers scored 132 runs. Frank Worrell and Joe Solomon scored 65 runs while Wes Hall scored 50.
Australia scored 505 runs in their first innings with a lead of 73 runs. For the home team it was Norm O’Neill who scored 181 runs while Bob Simpson scored 92 and Colin McDonald scored 57.
In the second dig, West Indies scored 284 all out as Alan Davidson picked 6 wickets. Frank Worell scored 65 as Rohan Kanhai scored a quick 54 and Joe Solomon scored 47 to take the match total to 112 runs.
Needing 233 to win Australia were 92 for 6 at one stage. Alan Davidson then turned on the magic with the bat to score 80 runs to put his team on the cusp of a win. With the scores tied, Linday Kilne tried to take a single only for Joe Solomon to effect the run out to create history.