Dubai is the ninth wonder of the world: Best

Sharjah - Best is delighted to be involved with the inaugural edition of the Masters Cricket League in the UAE.

Such was his pace and exuberance that Tino Best once earned comparisons with the legendary Wesley Hall. But the diminutive bowler never really did justice to his talent and his Test numbers (25 matches, 57 wickets at 40.19) only reflect the sorry state of affairs in West Indies cricket in the past two decades.
When Khaleej Times approached him for an interview during his team Sagittarius Strikers' practice session in Sharjah on Tuesday, Best obliged with the same infectious smile he used to comfort the rival batsmen with after delivering a vicious bouncer.
We asked him about a batsman who had just quit the game after making career out of defying mighty challenges.
"Shiv (Chanderpaul) was an absolute talisman. I think he was among the 10 greatest players that have ever played for the West Indies," Best said.
"It was a privilege to play with him. I have played 25 Test matches with him and I was honoured to have been captained by him in Test cricket. I hope he continues to inspire the next generation of West Indies batsmen. He had a fantastic career and he was a fantastic human being as well."
Best believes the current crop of West Indies players need time to mature. "The problem we have is that we have a very young and inexperienced team. But they will get better. They are very young now. They are going to be star players in future. 
"The good thing about these youngsters is that they love Test cricket. They are not really into T20s. That format is basically for players like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy. All those guys are in their mid 30s. The young guys in the Test team - Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo - love Test cricket. That's really a big positive for West Indies cricket."
Best is delighted to be involved with the inaugural edition of the Masters Cricket League in the UAE. 
"I feel very blessed and humbled for getting this wonderful opportunity to extend my playing days with international stars because this is always something I loved doing for the West Indies," he said. 
"That I have an opportunity to play cricket with big names is really fantastic. And the chance to come to Dubai is great because it's one of the most amazing places on earth. It's the ninth wonder of the world!"
So how does it feel to be bowling again to some of the old rivals? "Some of them are a bit slower now," he laughed.
"I am still loving the challenge. I am a kind of a young retiree. I will be 35 soon. I have always kept myself in really good shape because I have been playing cricket. 
"I played for Barbados last month. I see myself as a journeyman not as a retired player. So just to be able to play here with these guys is great. I mean the intensity is good. I have always played with great intensity no matter what. So just playing the game in a good spirit is important for me. 
"I am just playing and carrying the good memories. To play with (Adam) Gilchirst and (Shane) Bond - the guys I have played and fought against in the past - is absolutely amazing. 
"I just hope that the tournament can go from strength to strength. I hope they put more money into it to make the league even bigger in future and I hope they can get some more Emiratis in the game. 
"Some of the guys have bowled at us in the camp and they are really quick. I am very impressed."
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com