Former WI stars bat for Tino Best

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

The exclusion of Barbadian pacer Tino Best from the West Indies 15-man squad for next month's ICC World Cup has not gone down well with at least two former West Indies fast bowlers.

According to Curtly Ambrose and Kenny Benjamin, who along with Courtney Walsh and Winston Benjamin formed a formidable quartet during the 1990s, Best in recent times has shown tremendous improvement after a successful regional one-day tournament earlier this season and they were looking forward to him making the trip.

The World Cup will be held in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka starting February 19.

"I had a feeling that Tino Best would have been included given his general improvements, and exploits during the regional one-day tournament. But I guess the selectors saw things differently," said Ambrose.

The aggressive and energetic Best, who after making his debut for the West Indies in 2003, has been in and out of the team due to inconsistent performances and general lack of control. He last represented the West Indies in one-day internationals and Tests in 2009.

He has taken 28 wickets at an average of 36.69 in 12 ODIs, and 13 wickets at an average of 48.67 in 14 Tests.

However, it was his performances during last October's regional one-day tournament which have many calling for his return.

During the tournament, which was held here in Jamaica, Best bowled with uncharacteristic control and accuracy to go along with his already established pace, and troubled a number of the region's leading batsmen.

In fact, it is the view of many that it was partly due to his performance why Barbados ended up sharing the title with the Leeward Islands.

In the four matches played, Best claimed 10 wickets, the second highest of the tournament, at an immaculate fast bowling average of 10.10, and a tournament high strike rate of 13.1.

These figures included four for 28 off 6.5 overs in the final, and five for 24 off five overs against Guyana, which all but secured Barbados a spot in the knockout stages.

Not convinced

However, despite his handy returns, the West Indies' selection committee, headed by Clyde Butts, and which includes Robert Haynes and Courtney Browne, was not entirely convinced that Best was ready to return, and instead decided to stick with five pace bowlers, who have of late been representing the region.

They are captain Darren Sammy, Kemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul, Dwayne Bravo, and 22 year-old Jamaican André Russell, who despite making his Test debut recently against Sri Lanka, is yet to make his one-day international debut.

"I am disappointed that Tino Best is not included. André Russell is a nice, exciting player, but I don't think the World Cup, which will be played on the docile tracks of the subcontinent, is the right place to blood him in one-dayers," said Benjamin.

"Best has improved, especially with his control and accuracy, and I think that at this stage in his career he is ready to make a valuable contribution to West Indies cricket," Benjamin added.

But at least one regional cricket commentator, Dr Akshai Mansingh, does not agree with Ambrose and Benjamin.

According to Mansingh, Best has already had his chance, and it's not foolhardy of the West Indies selectors to give a young and upcoming talent a chance.

"I think Russell has done enough with the West Indies A and with the West Indies on their recent tour of Sri Lanka for the coaches and selectors to make a decision, and I don't see nothing wrong with that," said Mansingh.

"I think Best has had his chance in the past, and perhaps the selectors are saying that they want to give someone else a try," said Mansingh.

"Personally, however, I think Krishmar Santokie would have been a good surprise choice.

"He bowls with impeccable control in Twenty20s and could be effective in 50/50 cricket. But I guess each team can only bring 15 players," he said with a chuckle.

The West Indies, prior to their departure for the World Cup, will play three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka on January 31 and February 4 and 6.

The team will also be engaged in a preparatory camp before their first match against South Africa on February 24.

West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh Jr, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Christopher Gayle, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, André Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith.