Guyanese at home and across the diaspora are mourning the passing of Milton Robert Pydanna, a beloved former West Indies and Guyana cricketer, who died recently at the age of 74.
Born in New Amsterdam in January 1950, Pydanna was a standout wicketkeeper-batsman whose career spanned nearly two decades from 1970 to 1988. He played in 85 first-class matches and 27 List ‘A’ games and proudly represented the West Indies in three One Day Internationals—two against Pakistan in 1980 and one against India in 1983.
Though his international appearances were limited by the fierce competition of the West Indies’ golden era, Pydanna remained a fixture in regional cricket. He played a vital role for the Police first-division team, the Berbice inter-county side, and the national Guyana team, where his skill and sportsmanship earned him widespread respect.
After migrating to the United States, Pydanna continued to serve the sport as an assistant coach with the U.S. national cricket team, sharing his expertise and passion with a new generation of players.
In March 2024, he was honoured at a reunion of Guyana’s historic 1983 team, which famously won both the Shell Shield and the Harrison Line Cup under the captaincy of Clive Lloyd. The moment was a fitting tribute to a man whose cricketing legacy left a deep imprint on the nation.
Milton Pydanna’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief from fans, former teammates, and members of the cricketing community, many of whom remember him not just for his contributions on the field, but for his humility, leadership, and quiet dedication to the game.
