Would Have Been 'Lynched' In Racist England: Tino Best
Published - 13 Jun 2020, 02:24 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:30 AM
Racism has come under microscopic scanner and cricketers have opened up about their past experiences. After his former West Indies’ teammates Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle came out in open about their experiences, ex-fast bowler Tino Best shared his plight about playing in a ‘racist’ country like England.
Best bowled an iconic spell against Sachin Tendulkar in his last international match. He retired with 57 wickets in Tests and 34 in ODIs for the national team. He was quick and came up as utility bowler for the side.
Tino Best: guys would have wanted to ‘beat me up’ for bowling fast
Best played his last international match in 2014. He has a county stint with Hampshire in 2016. Recalling his time in England, Best said, he would play club cricket anywhere but never in the United Kingdom again. He also said England is a very ‘racist’ place.
Narrating one of his experiences, he said, people would have probably beaten him up for bowling fast. Adding that, if his team would not have been strong enough, he would have probably been ‘lynched’ in England.
“I would go and play club cricket anywhere in the world but not in England. It’s a very racial place. So what Darren (Sammy) and Chris (Gayle) are saying is absolutely true,” Best said during an Instagram Live show Say Yash To Sports.
“I feel whenever anyone faces racism, call it out, speak about it and don’t fear about the consequences.”
“I used to come to the ground and bowl quick and guys would have wanted to beat me up for bowling fast. I was in this situation when if I did not have a strong team they would have probably lynched me.”
“But, you know I tell everyone Tino La Bertram Best is a different type of black man. I was a free black man. Don’t come to me. If you ever disrespect me. I am going to hurt you,” he added.
Racism came under radar after the death of George Floyd in America. George Floyd was killed on May 25 in the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis, Minnestoa in the United States after an officer, Derek Chauvin, kept his knee on Flyod’s neck for nearly nine minutes.
