Published: Mar 24, 2016, 05:22 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 24, 2016, 06:39 PM (IST)
Former West Indian off-spinner Rangy Nanan passes away at 62 due to a heart attack on Wednesday. Nanan suffered his first heart attack 4 years ago and had been bed-ridden since then. Nanan played his only Test match in 1980 versus Pakistan in Faisalabad and scalped four wickets, with an average of 22.75. Till date, Nanan is remembered for the two catches he took in the same match. Nanan made his first-class debut for Trinidad and Tobago in 1973 and led the team from 1984-91. Nanan was one of the most unfortunate cricketers to play in the era where West Indian pacers dominated the cricketing world, failing to find a permanent spot as a spinner in the team. Also read: Rangy Nanan: Wily off-spinner who graced Trinidad & Tobago for two decades
Nanan donned Trinidad and Tobago’s jersey for almost two decades and was one of the prolific performers in 1981-82 season of Shell Shield, scalping 32 wickets in five matches. Moreover, he called it a day when he was the leading wicket-taker in the league.
In retrospect, Nanan was part of an era when West Indian off-spin legend Lance Gibbs was in the twilight of his career. There were many other spinners former captain Clive Lloyd had tried and tested but none of them could match Gibb’s ability.
Unfortunately, Nanan had the class and pedigree but was overshadowed by Gibbs and could not keep his place. Also read: Rangy Nanan: The only Test cricketer with a palindromic surname
In first-class cricket, Nanan bagged 366 wickets from 94 matches at an impressive average of 23.10 and staggering economy of 2.18. His batting skillset was not ordinary either, as he has a first-class hundred to his name. He scored 2,607 runs at an average of 20.85.
He graced the West Indies cricket with his wily off-spin and shall be missed forever.
