Bests of both worlds finally get to meet
Former West Indies Test batsman Carlisle Best received a long overdue treat this week ? the chance to finally meet famed cousin Clyde Best.
The two are related through Clyde Best?s late father, Joe, who moved from Barbados to Bermuda where he served in the British Navy during the Second World War.
During a quiet family reunion at Clyde Best?s Somerset residence earlier this week, the two relatives of Bajan descent took time out to get acquainted and catch up with some of the past.
Carlisle Best, who scored a magnificent 164 against England at Kensington Oval in 1989, told : ?Ever since I have been coming to Bermuda I?ve always heard about Clyde. But every time I visited here he was always overseas.
?I had no idea he was such a big man and very gentle and polite. I was taken back by his humour and humility. He seemed very humbled having achieved such greatness on the football field.
?As you may know Joe made big families around the region (Barbados) and the Bests spread out prolifically. But I have always felt good to be associated with the name Clyde Best and clearly his contributions are of such significance that he is deserving of an MBE which is to be bestowed upon him sometime later this year.?
Carlisle Best is currently on Island representing the Windies in the 20-20 World Cricket Classic.
Cousin Clyde returned the compliment.
?It was very pleasing to see him make Test level and enjoy some degree of success,? he said. ?I?ve known about Carlisle for some time but never got the opportunity to meet him because I was in England every time he would come to Bermuda.
?But the guys always kept me up to date on him.?
Hall of Fame inductee and trailblazer Clyde Best represented English Premier club West Ham in the 1970s and also dabbled a bit in cricket as an all-rounder.
To date Clyde Best remains the youngest colt ever to play in Cup Match, having done so in 1966 as a 15 -year-old on the late Charles (Buckjuice) Swan?s Somerset team.
He is also the youngest local footballer to be on a triple crown winning team, a feat he achieved with Somerset Trojans before heading off to the UK in pursuit of a pro football career at age 17.
Following a successful football career in Europe and the US, Clyde Best returned to playing cricket in California for local club side Pasadena.
?I am proud to hear that Clyde was also a cricketer of some note,? Carlisle Best added.
The two cousins are also related to current Barbados and West Indies fast bowler, Tino Best.
Tino Best is the great nephew of Carlisle.
?As a youngster he (Tino) always had great admiration for me as a Test player, and clearly set his ambitions on becoming a Test player like myself,? Carlisle Best said. ?And I am proud that he made it. It was not a very easy road for him as he had some challenges early in his career.?
Clyde Best added: ?I just think he (Tino) needs to be a bit more disciplined and work harder.?