| Although cricket enthusiasts generally opine that fast | | | | near to an all-rounder, he was not a genuine 'Number |
| bowling involved more brawn than brain, one West | | | | 11' batsman either. All of his batting averages were in |
| Indian fast bowler gave pause to that notion. | | | | double digits and he scored 10 First-class |
| Anderson (Andy) Roberts- the former West Indies | | | | half-centuries- three at the Test level. |
| and Leeward Islands fast bowler- was a 'thinking' | | | | Cricinfo's Mike Selvey described Roberts as a bowler |
| cricketer. Many considered him a strategist on the | | | | who never wore his heart on his sleeve. According to |
| field. With a deceptively phlegmatic demeanour that | | | | Selvey, Roberts hardly displayed a "flicker of |
| belied his fierceness, Roberts successfully plotted the | | | | emotion" whether he took a wicket or a batsman hit |
| downfall of many batsmen during his playing days. | | | | his delivery for a boundary. It is likely that Roberts |
| Born in Antigua on January 29th, 1951, Roberts began | | | | was too busy thinking and focusing on his game. |
| his First-class career at the age of 19 for the | | | | Cricket pundits also credit Roberts for creating many |
| Combined Islands team in the 1969/70 season. Even | | | | delivery variations that- allied with his pace- claimed |
| though he was renowned for his guile in his later | | | | the wicket of many a batsman. He mastered the |
| years, Andy Roberts bowled with pace and venom in | | | | slower delivery without changing the pace of his arm. |
| his early years. His bowling prowess earned him a | | | | He also used the bouncer to great effect and was |
| Test debut against England four years later in 1974. | | | | regarded as a dangerous bowler (in the literal sense |
| Andy Roberts has the distinction of being the pioneer | | | | as well) for it. Roberts' variations allowed him to play |
| fast bowler of the West Indies' pace strategy of | | | | up until age 32, even though he lost pace as the |
| four fast bowlers. Another distinction that he had | | | | years went by. |
| was being the fastest to reach 100 Test wickets (in | | | | By the time he stopped playing First-class cricket in |
| 1977). In total, Roberts garnered a very | | | | 1974, Roberts played for a number of illustrious |
| commendable 202 wickets from only 47 Tests at an | | | | teams. New South Wales (Australia), Hampshire, |
| average of 25.61. In one-day internationals, he | | | | Leicestershire (England), Leeward Islands and |
| out-thought batsmen to reap 87 wickets from 56 | | | | Combined Islands (West Indies) were the teams that |
| matches at an even better average of 20.35. | | | | were on his resume besides the West Indies Test |
| Andy Roberts was primarily a fast-bowler. However, | | | | and ODI team. |
| he was no bunny with the bat. His batting ability | | | | Roberts remained involved in West Indies cricket as |
| actually helped the West Indies to win a critical World | | | | a manager and regional selector. He also holds fast |
| Cup group match against Pakistan. He joined Deryck | | | | bowling camps at venues across the region and is |
| Murray in an incredible 64-run stand that allowed the | | | | perturbed by the decline in the West Indian |
| West Indies to pip Pakistan by the narrowest of | | | | fast-bowling tradition that he started. It's likely that |
| margins- one wicket. His contribution in that stand | | | | Roberts is still plotting a strategy to improve the lot |
| was 24 runs from 48 balls. While Roberts was not | | | | of fast bowlers in the region. |