Fidel Edwards by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

FH Edwards

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DateLine: 28th April 2009

 

Fidel Edwards had an extraordinary international beginning, the kind that can either haunt or add lustre to a career. Spotted in the nets by Brian Lara, Edwards was called up for his Test debut after just one match for Barbados, and promptly took five wickets against Sri Lanka in Jamaica in June 2003. He added five in his first overseas Test, and six in his first one-day international. With a round-arm action not unlike Jeff Thomson's, which has left him vulnerable to back strains, he is more of a protégé of his neighbour Corey Collymore than his half-brother Pedro Collins. He bowls fast, can swing the ball and get reverse swing, but insists that he doesn't go for out-and-out pace. Which is just as well, because he will have to learn that pace without control leads straight to the boundary at international level.

 

That was very much the case, however, and despite regular chances at Test level, he rarely has shown enough control to be a match-winner and the selectors appeared to be growing weary, although they did draft him into the squad to tour England in 2007. He bowled well in the Chester-le-Street Test but was fined for swearing too loudly, and an unproductive series in South Africa followed. He lost his spot for the first Test against Sri Lanka, was recalled in Trinidad and grabbed five wickets to help West Indies draw the series. At one-day level he was given a long run in 2006 but axed towards the end of the year after failing to shine at the Champions Trophy. Edwards was not needed at the World Cup but, on his ODI recall, he blasted through England with 5 for 45 at Lord's.