Tino Best signs with ICL

Tino Best, the West Indies fast bowler, has signed up with the Indian Cricket League for three years. Tired of being ignored by national selectors, Best, who plays for Barbados in the domestic circuit, said he needed the money offered by the ICL to take care of his family.

"It's a little sad, but I can't go to the supermarket and say that my name is Tino Best, I bowl at 90 miles an hour, I want $400 in groceries," Best told Barbados daily the Nation. "People will ask me if I'm going mad. It is about securing myself and my family.

"It was a very tough [decision], but at the end of the day you have to live. I'm not a carpenter, a lawyer or a doctor. I'm a cricketer. I have to apply my trade to survive."

Best, 26, said he had no option but to join the league since West Indies hadn't given him any opportunities since May 2006. "There is no security with the West Indies team. If the West Indies had me on a contract, I wouldn't even think about going. It is time that I start looking out for myself."

What prompted him to sign were the other ICL signings, Shane Bond's in particular. "If they can do it, it opens doors for me. He [Bond] was contracted to New Zealand Cricket." Though the ICL has not found support with any cricket board, with the Indian board calling for a ban on players who join it, Best was hopeful of continuing to play for Barbados.

"[Brian] Lara and [Mervyn] Dillon are signed to the league. They are still playing first-class cricket for Trinidad. I don't feel it should be a problem to play for my country. Internationally, I might not be in consideration but I can still represent Barbados to continue my dominance in regional cricket."

Best picked up 13 wickets at 17.23 from three Carib Beer matches this season. In his seven seasons overall he has taken 182 wickets at 28.24. Barbados have won the first-class competition thrice during Best's career, including last season. Best said it was frustrating not to get a call-up to the West Indies squad despite being one of the most successful bowlers in the first-class circuit.

"I'm not being arrogant about it, but if you look at it statistically, the only person that comes to mind that can challenge me is maybe Jason Bennett. There is no other person, still I can't get into the West Indies team.

"It hurts me sometimes, but it is a decision I had to stick by. At the end of the day, I can't carry prestige to build a house or to feed my family."