Nanan High on Omari Banks
Thu, Apr 17, '03
Former Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies off-spinner Rangy Nanan believes the selection of spinning all-rounder Omari Banks on the West Indies 13-man squad for the second Cable and Wireless Test match which starts on Saturday against Australia at the Queen's Park Oval is a step in the right direction and a sound investment.
Banks was drafted into the squad after a successful 2003 Carib Beer Regional Cricket series, during which he captured 25 wickets at 36.40 and scored 270 runs.
The Anguilla-born Banks caught the eyes of the regional selectors, when he played for the Carib X1 in a warm-up against the touring Australians, when he captured three for 65 in the second innings.
Nanan, who is the second leading wickettaker in regional cricket with 256 wickets, behind former Guyana and West Indies off-spinner Clyde Butts on 279, said the Queen?s Park Oval track will offer some sort of assistance to Banks? bowling style.
"Although there is a lot of grass on it at present, I am sure there will be lots of help for Banks and also the Australian two spinners, Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg," Nanan said.
The former national captain said Banks is loaded with talent and if he is harnessed and nutured properly, he can be a successful spinner, both at regional and international levels.
Nanan said he met Banks a few years ago at Guaracara Park during a regional four-day fixture between Leeward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago and since then they developed a good working relationship in the art of spin bowling.
"He asked for my guidance and together we have established a good and solid rapport. I believe he can reach the top sooner than later," Nanan added.
Nanan said Banks and himself had lenghty conversations on strategies during the West Indies' practice sesssions at the Queen's Park Oval and Queen?s Royal College grounds yesterday.
Meanwhile, the pitch at the Oval will hold the key as to the outcome of the second Test match, between West Indies and Australia, but that will depend on which of the teams makes much use of it.
This was stated by head groundsman, Curtis Roberts, during the preparation of the pitch yesterday.
Roberts said that would be the third time in 2003 that the track would be used. It was previously used for the Gerry Gomez North/South Memorial Classic in January, followed by the Jamaica/T&T clash a month ago in the Carib Beer series.
"It will be very competitive. It will be very challenging for the batsmen, and if the bowlers keep to their task, they will be rewarded. Since, it is the highest level of the sport, the players will have to rise to the occasion on this testing track," said Roberts.
* Republished from Trinidad Guardian.