Inshan Ali

INSHAN ALI, who died from throat cancer on June 24, 1995, aged 45, was a back-of-the-hand slow left-arm bowler who played in 12 Tests for West Indies in the 1970s. He was a slight figure who looked increasingly out of place in the team as the emphasis switched to non-stop fast bowling, and his inability to translate his first-class form to Test level was one of the factors that encouraged West Indies to transform their game.

Inshan's 34 Test wickets cost 47.67, and he had limited success after taking five for 59 against New Zealand at Port-of-Spain in 1971-72. He made his debut for Trinidad aged only 16 and his unusual methods frequently troubled batsmen below top level. He had returned to playing club cricket in Trinidad shortly before his fatal illness.