Sammy Guillen


Simpson Clairmonte "Sammy" Guillen was one of the few men to have played Test cricket for two countries. He played five Tests for the West Indies and three for New Zealand in the 1950s, one of which was the New Zealand team's first victory, over the West Indies.

Soccer career

Guillen held the further rare distinction of also playing in the final of New Zealand's premier association football competition, the Chatham Cup, gaining a runners-up medal for Western AFC in 1954. Unsurprisingly for a wicket-keeper, his position in the Western side was goalkeeper.

Personal life

Born 24 September 1924 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Guillen came from a family of cricketers which include: Victor Guillen, Noel Guillen, Jeffrey Guillen, Charles Guillen and Justin Guillen, an all-rounder for Trinidad and Tobago. His grandson Logan van Beek plays for the Canterbury Wizards in cricket and for the Christchurch Cougars in the NBL. Internationally, he represents the Netherlands in cricket.
Simpson resided in Christchurch with his wife Val Guillen, a former wicketkeeper for the province of Canterbury women's team. In 2004 he published his memoirs, Calypso Kiwi.
On the death of Colin Snedden on 24 April 2011, Guillen became the oldest surviving New Zealand Test cricketer. He died in Christchurch on 1 March 2013.