Dinanath Ramnarine - West Indies Leg Spinner

Dinanath Ramnarine is a retired West Indian leg-spinneraverage of 30.73. At close to four wickets per Test
who made his debut at the age of 23 against Englandmatch, his record compared to others at the same
at Bourda. During England's first innings, Ramnarinestage was far superior. Yet, he retired prematurely at
picked up impressive figures of 3 for 26 as Englandage 28 after an on-field dispute with Carl Hooper, the
were bowled out for 170. His worthy effort wouldformer West Indies captain.
have had few believing that he would retire from theDinanath Ramnarine also played four ODIs with much
game at age 28, largely due to issues off the field ofless success. His talent was never fully appreciated by
play.a region that yearns for the fast bowling talent it
Ramnarine's talent saw him enter First-classclearly doesn't have. While Michael Holding suggested
competition at the age of 18. His right-arm,that spinners who were picked for the West Indies
flat-trajectory leg-spin was very effective for Trinidadnever produced, Ramnarine's figures belie Holding's
and Tobago at the regional level. In the 2000/2001claim. Perhaps Michael considers Daren Powell - with
season, Ramnarine picked up the most wickets in the73 wickets after 30 Test matches - to be a
regional competition. That performance earned himworld-beater.
selection to the West Indies team for the 2001 homeDinanath's off-field trouble in his playing days was
series against South Africa.partially a result of his involvement with the West Indies
The West Indies lost that series 2-1, but RamnarinePlayers' Association. At the end of 2008, he was still
picked up 20 wickets in the five Test matches-the president of WIPA. As the president of WIPA, he
becoming the first Caribbean spinner to pick up 20is also on the WICB's executive. Ramnarine played a
wickets in a series since Lance Gibbs in the late 70s.prominent role in all conflicts between the players and
Ramnarine even helped the regional team draw thethe WICB. If Dinanath Ramnarine had the staying
third Test match in Barbados with a combination ofpower at Test level that he has as WIPA president,
astute batting and blatant time-wasting tactics.his legacy as one of the best spinners to play for the
Compared to other fast bowlers and spinners sinceWest Indies since Lance Gibbs would have been
the late 90s, Ramnarine has an above average Testindisputable.
record. In 12 matches, he took 45 wickets at an