'If I wrote a book I'd call it Mind the Windows'
Tino Best talks about banter with Flintoff, wild celebrations, and why his Test-highest 95 is not his No. 1 achievement
Interview by Jack Wilson
28-May-2015
"One of my big regrets is that I didn't become a proper allrounder" • Getty Images
"Mind the windows, Tino!" Tell us about that Freddie Flintoff sledge.
It's a good gag, isn't it? Freddie is a legend. If I wrote a book I'd call it Mind the Windows. I'm not embarrassed, stuff like that is good for the game. I always thought Ashley Giles was a decent bowler, but he wasn't spinning the ball that much, so I had a go.
It's a good gag, isn't it? Freddie is a legend. If I wrote a book I'd call it Mind the Windows. I'm not embarrassed, stuff like that is good for the game. I always thought Ashley Giles was a decent bowler, but he wasn't spinning the ball that much, so I had a go.
Fred was only getting you back, wasn't he?
That's right. I once ran to bowl to him in Trinidad without the ball. He was ducking and scrambling because he thought I'd bowled a bouncer. Everyone started laughing. In the end I made my highest Test score, the 95 against England. I got my revenge. It was all gravy in the end.
That's right. I once ran to bowl to him in Trinidad without the ball. He was ducking and scrambling because he thought I'd bowled a bouncer. Everyone started laughing. In the end I made my highest Test score, the 95 against England. I got my revenge. It was all gravy in the end.
You scored that 95 but recently wrote on Twitter that you can't bat. What happened?
People on Twitter cuss me. I like having a pop back. I can bat!
People on Twitter cuss me. I like having a pop back. I can bat!
Do you enjoy your batting?
Oh man, yes. I used to bat a lot. I batted at three or opened as a kid, then at 19 I became a bowler. When I put my head down, I can bat. It's all about temperament. One of my big regrets is that I didn't become a proper allrounder. I see people who are allrounders now and I think, seriously, I could have been one.
Oh man, yes. I used to bat a lot. I batted at three or opened as a kid, then at 19 I became a bowler. When I put my head down, I can bat. It's all about temperament. One of my big regrets is that I didn't become a proper allrounder. I see people who are allrounders now and I think, seriously, I could have been one.
Where does your 95 rank in your career achievements?
It's number three.
It's number three.
And what are the top two?
Number one is my 6 for 40 against Bangladesh on one of the most docile pitches ever. I did it with a hamstring injection. I needed to have three injections to run.
Number one is my 6 for 40 against Bangladesh on one of the most docile pitches ever. I did it with a hamstring injection. I needed to have three injections to run.
The second one is my first Test wicket - Graham Thorpe. He'd seen me playing as a kid in 1990 on the outfield at Sabina Park and was impressed. He gave me his bat - his Kookaburra - and I told him it was my dream to open the batting for West Indies. Then years later he became the first man I dismissed. It was crazy.
You're 5ft 8in tall. As a pace bowler, do you ever wish you were taller?
No, not at all. My bowling wish would be that I was more consistent. I tried to blast people out and bowl 95mph. I should have settled for 85mph, with a bit of shape and wish I'd mastered that when I was 22.
No, not at all. My bowling wish would be that I was more consistent. I tried to blast people out and bowl 95mph. I should have settled for 85mph, with a bit of shape and wish I'd mastered that when I was 22.
Do you feel harshly treated by West Indies?
My granddad is 92 now. He emigrated to England in the '50s and he always says if I was playing in England I'd have played 80 or 90 Tests. If I was in a different set-up I'd have played more. I wish I was treated better.
My granddad is 92 now. He emigrated to England in the '50s and he always says if I was playing in England I'd have played 80 or 90 Tests. If I was in a different set-up I'd have played more. I wish I was treated better.
Which of your team-mates has the worst taste in music?
Ottis Gibson listened to anything when he was playing. He doesn't have a good taste in music.
Ottis Gibson listened to anything when he was playing. He doesn't have a good taste in music.
Who is the worst dressed?
Kirk Edwards. He's not a hot dresser. He wears anything.
Kirk Edwards. He's not a hot dresser. He wears anything.
Who is the best dancer?
Darren Sammy.
Darren Sammy.
And the worst?
Sunil Narine.
Sunil Narine.
Who is the best fun on a night out?
Chris Gayle, without a doubt.
Chris Gayle, without a doubt.
What is it like to share a dressing room with Brian Lara?
It was amazing. It was awesome. He was a real fighter and a guy who worked his butt off. When we were losing he always tried to be positive.
It was amazing. It was awesome. He was a real fighter and a guy who worked his butt off. When we were losing he always tried to be positive.
Who was your cricketing hero?
My uncle, Carlisle Best.
My uncle, Carlisle Best.
Who is the biggest influence on your career?
Again, my uncle Carlisle, and my grandmother. She told me to keep working hard and the rewards would come.
Again, my uncle Carlisle, and my grandmother. She told me to keep working hard and the rewards would come.
What's the story behind your nickname Ntini?
That's what Wikipedia says but Wikipedia is a liar! I have two nicknames: Animal and Bobski. I love Bobski because it's after one of my favourite singers, Bobby Digital, from the Wu-Tang Clan.
That's what Wikipedia says but Wikipedia is a liar! I have two nicknames: Animal and Bobski. I love Bobski because it's after one of my favourite singers, Bobby Digital, from the Wu-Tang Clan.
What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Devon Malcolm, when I was about 18, watched me bowl. I was bowling rapid but had no control. He said to me: "You've got pace but right now you're a Ferrari without a steering handle." It was nice for him to say that. Ferraris are good, right?
Devon Malcolm, when I was about 18, watched me bowl. I was bowling rapid but had no control. He said to me: "You've got pace but right now you're a Ferrari without a steering handle." It was nice for him to say that. Ferraris are good, right?
Who has got the worst celebrations after taking a wicket?
Imran Tahir goes mental. He's worse than me!
Imran Tahir goes mental. He's worse than me!
And who has the best?
Brett Lee. When he gets a wicket he's pumping his fists. He gives me goosebumps. He's one of my inspirations.
Brett Lee. When he gets a wicket he's pumping his fists. He gives me goosebumps. He's one of my inspirations.
If you could bowl at one batsman from the past, who would it be?
I would love to bowl at Sir Garry Sobers and my uncle Carlisle Best when we were all in our primes, aged 25. I tease Sir Garry and say, "I would love to have bowled at you." He says, "Tino, I would have creamed you everywhere!"
I would love to bowl at Sir Garry Sobers and my uncle Carlisle Best when we were all in our primes, aged 25. I tease Sir Garry and say, "I would love to have bowled at you." He says, "Tino, I would have creamed you everywhere!"
Describe yourself in a sentence.
I wear my heart on my sleeve.
I wear my heart on my sleeve.