Former Caribbean opening batsman Conard Hunte was born on May 9, 1932, at Belleplaine. He started his first-class career with his native Barbados in 1950–51 and played in 44 test matches for the West Indies. Hunte scored 3,245 runs at an average of 45.06. He hit 80 and was naturally aggressive as a batsman. But when he played for his country, he adapted his technique to give the inning a solid base.
Sir Conard Cleophas Hunte was particularly strong off his legs, clipping the ball through mid-wicket or glancing fine. He achieved instant success when he played in his first series against Pakistan in 1957–58. He amassed 622 runs at a healthy average of 77.75.
That included a majestic 142 runs in his first match at Bridgetown and a career-best 260 in his third match at Kingston. In this inning, he added 446 runs for the second wicket with Sir Garry Sobers. Who made his then-record Test score of 365 not out? He also managed another beautiful inning in the 4th test match at Georgetown, scoring 114 runs.
Conard Hunte’s finest overseas tour came in England in 1963, when he plundered 471 runs in the Test series to head the average at 58.87. The highest of Hunte’s three double centuries was 263 for Barbados against Jamaica in 1961–62. His first-class career, spanning 17 years, brought him 8,916 runs at 43.92. He scored 16 centuries and held 68 catches. Moreover, he stumped as an emergency wicketkeeper and also captured 17 wickets at 37.88 runs apiece.
As a batsman, Hunte was very reliable, though he seldom had a completely satisfactory partner. He hooked with power and timed his off-drive perfectly. He was a fine fielder, especially close to the bat, and occasionally bowled slow, medium cutters. Conard Hunte was the son of a sugar plantation worker who belongs to a poor family and lives in a one-room house. He was one of nine children.
He toured India and Pakistan in 1958–59, Australia in 1960–61, England in 1963 and 1966, and India in 1966–67. At home, he played against Pakistan in 1957–58, England in 1959–60, India in 1962–63, and Australia in 1964–65.
In Australia in 1960–61, he hit 110 for a total of 233 in the second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. In 1963, he was at his peak against England, making more first-class runs than anyone else, 1,367 runs at 44.09. He also scored 182 in the first Test match at Manchester and 108 not out in the fifth at the Oval.
