As the Caribbean side mounted a valiant comeback late on the first day of the second Test against England on Thursday, West Indies spinner Kevin Sinclair gave an explanation of the history behind his signature wicket celebration.
On the opening day of the pivotal ICC World Test Championship match in Nottingham, Sinclair was one of the West Indies’ best bowlers. The hosts amassed 416 after being sent into bat first, and the inexperienced off-spinner claimed two wickets, including the significant scalp of England young gun Harry Brook.
The most memorable part of the match was when Sinclair dismissed Brook. The Guyanese spinner raced off to execute his now-famous backflips and somersaults as the West Indies rallied to cut England to 201/4 in the middle session.
Sinclair, 24, has previously produced the striking celebration on the field. Earlier this year, he performed the acrobatic feat during his Test debut against Australia at The Gabba, and again during last year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe.
After the play on opening day, Sinclair was questioned about the history of this unusual celebration, and the right armer disclosed that years of practice at home had helped to perfect the act.
“That is how I celebrate, it is my signature,” Sinclair remarked.
I just go all out for everyone whenever I get a wicket.
It all began when I was eight years old, repeatedly practicing in the backyard garden. I have mastered what I do throughout the years, so I know what I am doing.
Sinclair was not even supposed to be in the West Indies starting eleven for the second Test; instead, he was given a break on the morning of the first match after first-choice tweaker Gudakesh Motie was declared unwell.
England gave up a quick start and were bowled out late in the day, but Sinclair’s passion on the field encouraged his fellow bowlers, as Alzarri Joseph (3/98), Jayden Seales (2/90), and Kavem Hodge (2/44) also claimed multiple wickets.
Ollie Pope, a right-hander, was the cornerstone of England’s innings. The top-order batsman amassed his sixth Test century for his nation by riding a wave of misplayed catches by the West Indies.
Pope noted that although he was grateful for his good fortune at bat, it was a far cry from his recent experience playing at the domestic level in England, where he felt like everything was against him.
Pope stated, “I am pleased with how I handled things and obviously there was a nice couple of drops, which always helps.”
Although nobody intends to let them go, cricket is a game of ups and downs. I did not have much luck during my time in County. Though I would not say I had any reservations, there are moments when you wonder why England’s No. 3 is not hitting an average of 50 this summer while everyone else in the nation is making runs in county cricket.
“You want to go out and score a hundred every day, but sometimes it does not work that way. That is just cricket for you.”