Quote:The major reason for Badree's continued success is that his role in the West Indian team hasn't changed despite Sunil Narine's decline. Unlike the spinners that succeeded earlier in the format (the likes of Afridi, Mendis and Swann) Badree's isn't used specifically for the middle overs of the innings, or even the death overs, a la Narine or Ajmal, he is essentially a powerplay specialist: just seven of his 109 overs in international T20 cricket have been bowled after the halfway point of the innings. He continues to be the leader of the first half of the bowling innings, even as the leaders of the second half change. And that, even he admits, might be one of the reasons why he continues to be underrated.

"I think I get overlooked for the simple reason of law of recency," he says. "For the most part, I have finished my work inside the first half hour of the game. By the time the game has ended, many people forget what had happened in the beginning and the performances toward the end of the game are most remembered. It is what it is. I have never played for recognition, accolades, fame or fortune but rather to be the best player I can be with my skill set. I love contributing to team success no matter who I play for and that brings me greater joy and satisfaction than any individual award. I started playing this game because it brought me great joy and will continue to play as long as I am still experiencing that joy."

And coming from him, that seems more believable than most international players. Badree was never supposed to be a great cricketer, especially in this era. T20 was supposed to bring out universal, all-action players - and while it has done that with the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Andre Russell, the best bowler in the world is still a full-time school teacher who isn't a particularly good fielder, and would never consider himself an international level batsman. He is the poster child of the opposite of the all-action superstar - a specialist so good at his main skill that it tilts the balance to the extent that all his weaknesses are overlooked. The man closest to him in the rankings, Imran Tahir, would certainly sympathize with his situation.