ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Cricket West Indies director of cricket Miles Bascombe praised retiring off-spinner Sunil Narine for the excitement he brought to the sport. Narine announced his retirement from international and List A One-day matches on Sunday, but he said he will continue to play franchise Twenty20 matches for the foreseeable future.
The 35-year-old from Trinidad & Tobago made his international debut for West Indies in India in 2011, and he played six Tests, 65 One-day Internationals, and 51 in Twenty20 Internationals for the Caribbean side during an international career spanning eight years. “On behalf of CWI, I would like to thank Sunil Narine for his contribution to West Indies during his time on the international stage,” Bascombe said. “He was the kind of bowler who excited fans and brought them to the game. He was the ‘X’ factor in the West Indies bowling attack and produced some amazing spells.
“When at his best, he ranked among the very best in the modern era. We all remember the magical bowling performance in Sri Lanka, when he helped the West Indies to their first T20I World Cup title. As he continues his playing career, we wish him more success.” Narine was a member of the West Indies team that won the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 11 years ago when they beat hosts Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, playing a crucial role with the ball in the 36-run win with three wickets. He is in the T&T Red Force squad for the first semi-final of the West IndiesSuper50 Cup to be played on Wednesday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in his homeland, and they are hoping to give him a fitting send-off by qualifying for the final and winning a 14th title.
