Best floored by injury

TINO BEST is returning home today with a hamstring injury that has cut short his first taste of English county cricket in a season in which he has described himself as the fastest bowler on the circuit.The exuberant Barbadian, who created a big impression at Yorkshire, pulled a hamstring while playing a second XI match for the club last week and will miss the last three weeks of the season.“I am very, very disappointed, but all in all, it was a great opportunity and a great experience. I didn’t embarrass myself. I think I did well,” Best told MIDWEEK SPORT yesterday.Best, who landed a contract with Yorkshire after impressing the club in a trial while on a visit to Barbados earlier this year, grabbed 18 wickets (ave. 44.05) in nine first-class matches, ten wickets (ave 16.60, economy 6.30) in five limited-overs matches and seven wickets (ave 34.71, economy 8.28) in eight Twenty20 matches.The highlight of his season was his speed which reached more than 95 miles an hour on occasions.“If the [West Indies] selectors were watching any cricket in England, they would see that I am the quickest bowler in county cricket,” Best said.“I got up to 97.5 miles an hour in Twenty20 cricket. If they saw, they would know how fit and strong I was.At my quickest“One of the quickest times I have ever bowled was up there. My body is getting stronger and it was a bit of an offset that I got injured. That is sports.”While Best is yet to put pen to paper with the club for next season, he is optimistic of returning.His priority, however, is to regain a place in the West Indies team.“The club wants to see me play international cricket. People at the club cannot understand why I’m not playing international cricket,” Best said.“I have a lot of respect for the club. They really made me feel at home. The facilities and the whole set-up make you want to play cricket. You’re playing for a team that has a Test ground.”In addition to the injury, Best also expressed frustration because of the weather that badly affected some of the matches.The second West Indian to play for Yorkshire – the first was Richie Richardson – Best said the cricket was tough, but he feels that players in the English county game are no better than those in regional competitions.“We are more talented that the people who play county cricket, but in terms of facilities and support staff, it is unbelievable,” he said.“It is a job for the people. I really enjoyed it. To play for a county like Yorkshire was really big. As the  second West Indian to play for Yorkshire, it is something I’m very proud of.”