The fizz off the pitch is unmistakable. So are the revolutions on the ball. Devendra Bishoo is a young man with immense possibilities.
As the West Indies attempts to draw level with India in the second Test at the Kensington Oval — the match begins on June 28 — a spinner will be the focus of much attention on what is likely to be a fast and bouncy track.
In the first Test at Sabina Park, the 25-year-old Bishoo impressed with his turn, bounce and temperament. He is someone who can make things happen.
The leg-spinner from Guyana is undaunted by reputations. The big names in the Indian batting line-up only stoked his combative instincts. This was a Test where Bishoo outbowled the Indian spinners.
Let's look at some of Bishoo's significant dismissals in the first Test.
V.V.S. Laxman, an accomplished player of spin, was drawn into a front-footed drive by a delivery of tantalising flight on a probing off-stump line. Then, the sharp turn away from the bat produced an edge that was gobbled up at slip.
Interestingly, this was Bishoo's first ball of the match. Most leg-spinners tend to take time to find line, length and rhythm. This West Indian was spot on from the start.
Then, Bishoo lured a well-set Rahul Dravid into a fatal drive with yet another flighted delivery that spun away. Darren Sammy, at slip, completed the dismissal.
Bowling with heart and fine cricketing nous, Bishoo gave the ball air once again and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, caught at the crease, was done in by the extra bounce.
Bishoo, possibly under instructions since the West Indies had conceded a 73-run lead to India, tended to be flatter in the second innings but once again took out Dhoni with his sharp bounce; attempting a cut, the Indian skipper was unable to get on top of the ball.
Bishoo possesses a telling leg-spinner — he does rip the ball hard — and a threatening top-spinner. Occasionally, his flippers too demand attention from the batsmen.
However, he lacks a potent googly. This was precisely why the left-handed Suresh Raina was able to dominate Bishoo in the first innings.
Trajectory
Bishoo is so much the better bowler when he operates to an above-the-eye-level trajectory that can bring with it dip and leave the batsman guessing about the length of the delivery.
The below-the-eye-level trajectory can be more restrictive but is also more predictable. This also provides the batsman an opportunity to play effectively off the back-foot.
Bishoo's fledging Test record is laudable. He has 16 wickets in just three Tests at 30.81 (economy rate 3.22). The leg-spinner has played all his Tests so far — two against Pakistan and one versus India — against sub-continental batsmen. Bishoo's four for 68 against Pakistan in the first Test at Guyana earlier this season was a match-winning effort.
Apart from sending down the odd delivery lacking in length — the margin of error for a leggie is low — Bishoo has bowled with good control.
And he appears to be learning quickly; Bishoo is varying his pace and changing the angle of release.
In the ODIs, his record of 19 wickets from 11 matches at 21.57 (economy rate 4.18) underlines his versatility. He sold the dummy to Dhoni with a beautifully flighted delivery at Chepauk in the ICC 2011 ODI World Cup.
These are early days yet but potentially Bishoo could be the next major spinner for the West Indies after Lance Gibbs. With his relentless accuracy and sharp off-spin, Gibbs claimed 309 wickets in 79 Tests at 20.09.
Although the history of West Indies cricket has been dominated by speed merchants, spin has played its part.
In the 50s, Sonny Ramadhin — he had the unique ability to send down, both, off-spin and leg-spin with little difference in his action — and left-arm spinner Alf Valentine formed a deadly spin force.
The lanky Valentine could turn the ball a long way.
The two gave a new identity to the West Indies attack. The gifted Ramadhin scalped 158 batsmen in 43 Tests at 28.98. And the incisive Valentine claimed 139 wickets in 36 Tests at 30.22.
Bishoo has a rich spin tradition in the Caribbean for inspiration.
