Best set for Hampshire debut

LONDON, CMC – Hampshire will be looking to ex-West Indies paceman Tino Best to spearhead their attack, as they chase their first win of the new English County Championship season when they face Middlesex at the Ageas Bowl starting tomorrow.

The 34-year-old is set to make his debut after replacing fellow Barbados and West Indies speedster Fidel Edwards, who broke his ankle last week and was forced to undergo surgery to correct the damage.

Tino Best
Tino Best

Hampshire’s Director of cricket, Giles White, said Best was highly motivated for the encounter.

“Tino has settled in well. He played for the Second Team this week and he bowled with pace and skill and he showed that he is ready to play,” White said.

“There have been some good individual performances in the first two matches and something to build on, but as always we’ll look to keep improving and get some results on the board.

“We are up against another strong side this week against Middlesex, but we feel in good form and we are ready to take them on.”

Best has signed a short-term deal to represent Hampshire to compensate for the loss of Edwards.

The fiery right-armer last represented West Indies two years ago but played for Barbados Pride in the WICB Regional Super50 last January before also turning out in the inaugural Masters Champions League in the United Arab Emirates.

Edwards broke his ankle last week while playing football during Hampshire’s warm-up ahead of the final day’s play of their encounter against Yorkshire.