Shannon Gabriel, the towering West Indian fast bowler, has bid farewell to international cricket after a decade-long career. The 36-year-old, known for his fiery pace and intimidating presence, has played 59 Tests, 25 ODIs, and two T20Is for his country, claiming a total of 202 wickets.
Gabriel’s Test career was particularly impressive, where he utilized his height and strength to extract bounce and movement from even the most docile pitches. His best performance came against Sri Lanka in 2018, where he recorded match figures of 13 for 121, the fourth-best by a West Indian bowler.
West Indies fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh compared Gabriel to Patrick Patterson and Ian Bishop, recognizing his ability to generate pace and bounce. By 2017, he had become a regular member of the team, contributing to famous victories such as the Headingley Test against England.
However, Gabriel’s career was not without its controversies. In 2019, he was banned for four ODIs for an alleged homophobic remark towards Joe Root. While he accepted the sanction and apologized, he later claimed that the incident was exaggerated.
Despite his international retirement, Gabriel remains active in domestic cricket, representing Trinidad and Tobago and participating in the Abu Dhabi T10 earlier this year. He plans to continue playing for his country, club, and franchise teams around the world.
Gabriel’s retirement marks the end of an era for West Indies cricket. His pace, aggression, and passion will be missed by fans and teammates alike.
