West Indies

Vasbert Drakes

Born: August 05, 1969, Springhead, St Andrew, Barbados

Vasbert Drakes bio

Vasbert Conniel Drakes, a former cricketer from the West Indies, is best known for his bowling skills and hard-hitting batting. Born on August 5, 1969, in Barbados, Drakes had a late start to his international career but made a significant impact during his time on the field.

Drakes possessed the ability to generate genuine pace, often surprising batsmen with his short run-up. He was a formidable fast bowler who could deliver accurate and deadly blows. His skills were not limited to just bowling; Drakes was also an important contributor with the bat, having scored four first-class centuries. With his powerful stroke play, he had the ability to turn around matches.

Despite his immense talent, Drakes’ international career with the West Indies was limited to just five one-day matches against Australia in 1994-95, followed by a tour of England. However, he made the decision to pursue county cricket in England during summers and played for Border in South Africa during winters, which made him ineligible for national selection. This career choice hampered his chances of representing the West Indies on a larger scale.

In a fortunate turn of events, the West Indies selectors recognized the shortsightedness of their policy and decided to bring Drakes back into the fold. In September 2002, at the age of 33, he was selected for the West Indies’ Champions Trophy squad, allowing him the opportunity to finally build his international career.

Drakes marked his return to international cricket by dismissing Jacques Kallis with his first ball after a gap of over seven years. This was a momentous occasion for him, and it set the stage for his subsequent success in the World Cup campaign. Although the tournament may have ended anticlimactically for the West Indies, Drakes’ personal achievements stood out.

The pinnacle of Drakes’ career came with the bat when he played a crucial role in a historic victory against Australia in Antigua. In a remarkable feat, he remained unbeaten at 27 and helped his team successfully chase down a target of 418 runs. This incredible achievement secured Drakes’ place in cricketing history and showcased his composure and skill under immense pressure.

After retiring from professional cricket, Drakes embarked on a coaching career. In 2008, he assumed the role of coach for the United Arab Emirates national cricket team, utilizing his vast experience and expertise to guide and develop the budding cricketers of the country.

Throughout his career, Vasbert Conniel Drakes has left an indelible mark on West Indian cricket. With his exceptional bowling and hard-hitting batting, he has provided both entertainment and inspiration for fans of the game. Drakes’ dedication and perseverance serve as a reminder that talent, when combined with determination, can overcome any challenges and pave the way for success.

Vasbert Drakes career stats

Batting stats

Batting Matches Innings Nos Runs High score Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 12 20 2 386 67 21.44 819 47.13 0 1 54 7 2 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs 34 17 5 94 25 7.83 174 54.02 0 0 6 0 5 0
FC 164 257 31 4774 180* 21.12 - - 4 17 - - 53 0
List A 217 149 33 1787 104 15.4 - - 1 1 - - 36 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bowling stats

Bowling Matches Innings Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
Tests 12 21 2617 1362 33 5/93 7/80 41.27 3.12 79.3 2 1 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs 34 34 1640 1293 51 5/33 5/33 25.35 4.73 32.1 3 2 0
FC 164 - 31529 16066 614 8/59 - 26.16 3.05 51.3 - 28 3
List A 217 - 10447 7283 279 5/19 5/19 26.1 4.18 37.4 8 4 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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