PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – West Indies captain Darren Sammy has described wily off-spinner Sunil Narine as the best bowler in the Caribbean at the moment.
Sammy was speaking after Narine destroyed the Windward Islands with a match haul of 10 for 127, to set up a nervous four-wicket win for Trinidad and Tobago in their fourth round Regional Four-Day match here Monday.
“Narine is really bowling well at the moment and he is the best bowler we have in the region at the moment,” Sammy said.
“When you play against him and make some runs, it makes you feel good because he is really a top class bowler.”
Narine has emerged as a serious threat over the last year, especially after bowling superbly in the Regional Super50 last October to finish with 15 wickets at a miserly average of just under 12.
This performance grabbed the attention of West Indies selectors and he was subsequently handed his international debut against India on the tour of Asia last year, where he played three one-dayers.
Only last month, Narine was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League auction for US$700 000.
With Narine having already taken 31 wickets in the Regional Four-Day Championship, Sammy said his form was pleasing especially with Australia arriving in the Caribbean next month.
“We have the Australian series coming up and it is good to see any player in form and particularly good to see the spinner Narine is such great form,” the Windwards skipper pointed out.
“There is also [Shane] Shillingford from our team who is bowling well and this is a good sign for cricket in the region.”
Sammy also praised T&T captain Denesh Ramdin who signalled a return to form with a dazzling unbeaten 151 in the first innings.
“Denesh really played a very good knock I thought,” Sammy said. “We have not been seeing many runs in the cricket matches this season, so to get runs is not easy and he must be congratulated.”
