BRIDGETOWN, MAY 12 :Renowned West Indies cricket writer and commentator passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 75 following a long illness. Cozier covered almost every West Indies series since 1962, and is one of the most respected cricket writer, broadcaster and historian to have come out of the Caribbean.
He had been hospitalized on May 3 for tests related to infections in the neck and legs. Cozier, whose father Jimmy was also a cricket writer, began his commentary career with the Australia tour of the West Indies in 1965.
"Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Cozier today," the ICC posted on Twitter. "One of the truly great voices of cricket. A huge loss for the cricket community," the world body added.
Commenting on the sad news, Damien O'Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Premier League said: "It was with great sadness that we learned of Tony's sad passing.
"To many fans across the Caribbean and beyond he was quite simply the voice of West Indies cricket. His love of cricket was a positive influence in telling the story across a golden era for West Indies cricket and he was hugely respected and loved, in equal measure, by fans of the game.
"For more than 50 years Tony's voice has resonated through television, radio or the written word in homes across the cricketing world and he was admired internationally for his passion, insight and enthusiasm,” he said.
‘Go well Tony Cozier. You adorned our game’
Cricketing fraternity paid tribute on the passing of a legendary voice of the game
Henry Blofeld: Tony Cozier was (the) only commentator able to walk seamlessly & brilliantly from the TV to the radio com box - two vastly different disciplines.
Dwayne DJ Bravo: What a sad day for cricket, especially WI cricket, and the fans. RIP, Mr Cozier. Gone but you will never be forgotten.
Harsha Bhogle: Go well Tony Cozier. You adorned our game. You loved it like a child and a parent. You had respect. You had dignity. And you had love.
Michael Vaughan: So, so sad...Forget all the Great players... Tony Cozier was the reason I loved West Indian Cricket.
Ayaz Memon: John Arlott, Brian Johnston, Richie Benaud, Tony Cozier: a commentary team that will convert even gods into cricket loonies.
Simon Hughes: Devastated to hear of the death of Tony Cozier, the finest man ever to inhabit a commentary box. A true gent.
Virender Sehwag: Tony Cozier for me, you were champagne on air.