Jimmy Adams      

In the first half of his career, Jimmy Adams generated phenomenal statistics. After 12 Tests, only Bradman had a better record than his 1132 runs at 87, yet Adams never developed an aura to match his average. Born in Jamaica to a pair of doctors, he grew up as a clinical left-hander, willowy and strong off his legs, whose unblinking concentration shone out through a string of big hundreds and not-outs. In the mid-'90s, however, he suffered a crisis of confidence, a problem that may have stemmed from an unfortunate incident on the 1995 tour of England. Batting in fading light, Adams ducked into a bouncer from Somerset's Andre van Troost, shattering his cheekbone. An increasingly defensive player, especially when facing spin, he proved just as negative in his tactics when appointed captain in 2000. His tenure started well with four wins and two draws in his first six games, but thereafter a weak side lost their way and he lost seven of his next eight matches, culminating in a 5-0 whitewash in Australia. That tour marked the end of his Test career. A sharp catcher in the gully, his left-arm tweakers remain a handy sideline. At the start of 2006 he was back involved with West Indies cricket as the manager of the Under-19 side. In 2008, Adams succeeded Barry Richards as the president of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations. Later in the year, he was appointed technical director of Jamaica's cricket development programme.
Simon Briggs