West Indies No.11 batsman Tino Best hopes his record-breaking 95 against England on the fourth day of the third Test marks his “rebirth” as an international cricketer.
Playing in his first Test for nearly three years, Best’s stunning innings at Edgbaston on Sunday was the highest score ever by a Test match No.11, exceeding the 75 made by India’s Zaheer Khan against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2004.
A late call-up for the tour, Best, who faced just 112 balls with a six and 14 fours, helped West Indies to 426 in their first innings after rain washed out the first two days.
Together with wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin, who made 107 not out, Best shared a partnership of 143 – the third highest 10th wicket stand in Test history and a West Indies’ record.
The 30-year-old Barbados fast bowler then followed up with two wickets for 37 runs in 12 overs as England, an unbeatable 2-0 up in the three-match series, closed on 5-221 – a deficit of 205.
“To be able to showcase my talent to the world really felt good,” said Best.
“I’m looking at this as my rebirth to international cricket and I want to make sure that I allow people to remember me for the right reasons.
Best made his West Indies debut eight years ago but is appearing in just his 15th Test.
He was called up to replace injured fellow paceman Shannon Gabriel on the tour and then filled the Test spot vacated when fast bowler Kemar Roach was ruled out with a shin injury.
“This opportunity was a blessing and I just hope the people around me continue to encourage me,” said Best, who made England pay for their controversial decision to rest strike bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
He fell short of what would have been a breathtaking century when he skied a Graham Onions delivery to England captain Andrew Strauss at first slip.
Ramdin was 63 not out, with no realistic hope of a hundred, when Best walked out to bat.
“When I arrived at the crease, Denesh just told me to just back myself,” said Best, whose previous highest Test score was just 27.
“He told me not to get bogged down, if the ball is in my arc lick it away, and we focused on building 10-run partnerships.
“It turned out to be a record partnership and I am very grateful to be part of such a special moment, and batting to allow Denesh to get his hundred.”
Best told the BBC he’d been inspired by watching Fire in Babylon, a documentary film about the all-conquering West Indies teams of the 1970s and 1980s.
“I feed off Sir Vivian (Richards) and Fire in Babylon is a fantastic film and gave me inspiration.
“I was thinking about (Windies pace great) Malcolm Marshall and then when I got to 92 I remembered ‘this is my favourite cricketer’s highest score, let me just get past him’.”
Former Windies captain Richards was delighted by Best’s innings.
“If this match was being played in the Caribbean everyone would have been in the trees or on top of the pavilion, they’d be going mad,” Richards said.
“People love to see this type of innings. All praise to him.”
In 2004, Best became something of a joke figure in England when he was stumped off Ashley Giles in a Test at Lord’s just after being urged to “mind the windows” by Andrew Flintoff.
“Nnnoooooooooo Tino! He went for the windows to reach his 100!,” retired all-rounder Flintoff told his Twitter followers on Sunday.
“Well played sir, great entertainment take a bow.”
