Joel Garner – Birthday – Top 3 performances in international cricket

Joel Garner is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers to have played the game and he had outstanding numbers in both Tests and ODIs. The West Indian played 58 Tests and 98 ODIs from 1977 to 1987 and picked up a total of ten five-wicket hauls in an impressive career. His tall frame was a major advantage as he always extracted plenty of bounce from the tracks and made life of batters difficult. As he turns 70 on December 16, let us look at his top three performances in international cricket.

6 for 56 against New Zealand, 1985

In the home Test series against New Zealand in 1985, Garner was unstoppable in the first innings and his 6 for 56 in 36.2 overs reduced the Kiwis to 305. He picked up one wicket in the second innings as the visitors did not have enough time to chase down the target of 180 set by the hosts to result in a draw.

4 for 10 against New Zealand, 1985

In the 1985 home series against the Kiwis, Garner bowled a brilliant spell at the Port of Spain to bundle out New Zealand for just 116 in the first innings. Garner finished with 4 for 10 in his six overs with one maiden in his spell and New Zealand batters had no answers to the tremendous display from the tall seamer. West Indies chased down the target in just 24.2 overs and picked up a ten-wicket victory.

5 for 31 against Australia, 1984

During the Benson and Hedges World Series Cup in 1984, Garner registered his best figures in ODIs against a mighty Australian side led by Kim Hughes. The right-arm seamer scalped three dismissals by going through the defences of the batters and finished with 5 for 31 in his ten-over spell, which included a maiden. West Indies chased down the target of 213 to win the final and Garner was the Player of the Series for picking 21 wickets throughout the campaign.