Bridgetown (Barbados) Aug 29 (IANS/CMC): Former Barbados all-rounder Elvis Reifer passed away suddenly Saturday morning. He was 50.

Reifer, a left-arm fast-medium bowler and a useful left-handed lower-order batsman, was one of four from his family that played in the regional first-class game.

His brothers Leslie and George played for Barbados mostly in the 1980s, his nephew Floyd played for Barbados and has been a fixture with the Combined Campuses and Colleges over the last four seasons, going on to captain West Indies, and his son Raymon made his regional debut for the CCC this year.

Reifer was signed as a 23-year-old by English county Hampshire in 1984, although he had no first-class experience.

He had limited success, scalping 41 English County Championship wickets at 41.53 apiece, although his One-day form was more promising.

Reifer was not retained the following season, and played one more first-class game, when he bowled 12 wicketless overs for Barbados.

In all, he played 21 first-class matches, scoring 408 runs at 22.66, and snaring 49 wickets at 36.95 apiece.

Reifer leaves to mourn his wife, Barbadian radio and television personality Carol Roberts.