For Terrance Hinds, the journey from crushing poverty and violence to the international stage is not just a sporting story—it’s a survival narrative. The right-arm medium pacer, who grew up in Port of Spain, has reflected on how cricket carved a path out of bleak circumstances, helping him earn a livelihood he once could only hope for.
From Port of Spain to West Indies caps
Hinds’ rise has been especially striking because he comes from a place where, as he puts it, you don’t often see cricketers turning professional. Speaking to the official Cricket West Indies website, the pacer said he was born and raised in Port of Spain, a region he described as closer to a “ghetto” than a typical cricket nursery. For him, breaking out from that backdrop and representing the West Indies has been a major personal achievement.
He also explained why the game matters to him beyond trophies and selection. “Playing cricket took me out of a lot of bad situations, so that is very important to me,” he said, adding that although he did not grow up with everything he wanted, the sport has given him a fresh start and a future that he never expected to hold.
Hinds stressed that the opportunity to play at the top level—either for his country or as part of a franchise around the world—remains the kind of goal that he had dreamed about since his early days.
Grief during Covid-19 and the way he kept going
Hinds’ path has not been smooth, with misfortune arriving even after he had started to find stability. During the Covid-19 period, he lost multiple members of his family, including his mother and sister. Despite the grief, he said that resilient training through life helped him push through the pain and regain focus quickly.
Facing tragedies head-on
In describing what he endured, Hinds said he lost his mother and several relatives to Covid-19. He added that his mother and his sister passed away weeks apart, and that later his grandmother and uncle also died—events he described as deeply heartbreaking.
A big first-class impact in the opening stretch
Even with the emotional weight of the past, Hinds continued to build his game. Earlier this month, during the ongoing first-class championship in the Caribbean nation, he delivered a standout batting display for Trinidad and Tobago.
Hundred at No.7 and a massive partnership
Batting at number seven, Hinds struck a brilliant century against the Leeward Islands. His innings came alongside an unbeaten record stand with Amir Jangoo, forming a 298-run partnership that did not break while Jangoo scored 203.
- Hinds scored a century at No.7 for Trinidad and Tobago versus Leeward Islands.
- The partnership with Amir Jangoo was unbroken and added 298 runs.
- Amir Jangoo made 203 in the same innings partnership.
- Trinidad and Tobago won the match by an innings and 271 runs.
Keeping perspective after the landmark performance
Despite the scale of the achievement, Hinds kept his mindset grounded. He urged a measured approach, saying that cricket can be unpredictable and that the team must not rush the bigger picture—even after a strong start.
“We just need to take it step by step. Cricket is a funny thing, and you don’t want to rush anything,” he said. While acknowledging the positive momentum for the series, he added that the squad understands there is a larger objective still ahead.
Hinds also linked his commitment on the field to remembrance off it. With his mother and sister taken from him, along with other family members during Covid-19, he said that whenever he gets the chance, he tries to play in honour of them.
