LONDON — Tino Best said he hoped his record-breaking 95 for the West Indies against England on the fourth day of the third Test marked his “rebirth” as an international cricketer.
Best’s stunning innings at Edgbaston on Sunday was the highest score ever by a Test match No 11 batsman, exceeding the 75 made by India’s Zaheer Khan against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2004.
Best, who faced just 112 balls with a six and 14 fours, helped West Indies to 426 in their first innings after rain had washed out the first two days.
Together with wicketkeeper 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.
As if that wasn’t enough, the 30-year-old Barbados fast bowler, topping the 90mph mark, 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 221 for five — a deficit of 205.
“To be able to showcase my talent to the world really felt good,” said Best, unable to attend a news conference while he warmed down, in a statement issued by a team spokesman.
“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,” explained Best, who fell short of what would have been a breathtaking century when he skied Graham Onions to England captain Andrew Strauss back-pedalling at first slip.
