Witness the brilliance of Reon King as he delivers his career-best bowling performance against Zimbabwe at Kingston in March 2000. With figures of 5 for 51 in the first innings and 2 for 30 in the second, King guided West Indies to a thumping 10-wicket victory. His smooth run-up and effortless pace reminded fans of the great Michael Holding. Although his international career was short-lived, this match remains one of his finest moments in Test cricket.
👉 Watch Reon King’s fiery spells in both innings and relive a glimpse of West Indies’ fast bowling legacy. #ReonKing #WestIndiesCricket #CricketLegends #TestCricket #FastBowling
00:00Rion King delivered one of the finest spell of his test career when he ripped through
00:05Zimbabwe batting lineup at Kingston in March 2000.
00:09The smooth Guyanese passer claimed a career best figure of 5-for-51 in the first innings
00:15of the second test match, bending his back on lively Spina Park surface.
00:20He followed it up with a 2-for-30 in the second inning, sealing match figure of 7-for-81,
00:26a performance that powered West Indies to a commanding 10-wicket victory.
00:31It was a glimpse of fast-ballers seemingly destined to carry the Caribbean pace legacy forward.
00:56The umpires are getting together, whether one's saying to the other, are you sure he played at it?
01:08No, they're looking at light. Not happy and off they go. Well, the over had started but let's just check this out.
01:18Well, I suppose he might have played at it. I don't really think he did but Zimbabwe could do with a 4.
01:25But what's extraordinary there, there the crowd, crowd aren't short. They got light metres but I haven't seen one go up prior to the decision being made.
01:36It's been an extraordinary last ten minutes. Zimbabwe were probably seven minutes away from what would have been a fantastic day for them.
01:51As it is, it hasn't been a bad one. 40-for-3, 2.20-for-5. So they were away from...
02:01Brian King made early inroads when he caught Campbell. Plum in front.
02:10Team series continues. Zimbabwe have lost an early wicket with a great ball.
02:20Full length being the operative words. That was Plum in front.
02:24Pitched up to him, Alistair Campbell. Almost caught in the crease. He was tentatively coming forward. Not a long way forward.
02:30Again, the boy pitching in line straightening. That's out in any book. It's 2.23-for-6.
02:42Stops, spreading those. And King shrugs for the fourth time.
02:47Good catch-two.
02:48And Sabina block comes alive again. They're on their feet. And just watch this.
02:59Outside-off stump. Hips, middle and leg. Stumps all over the place.
03:05Ten strikes again. Streak the pods for two. Zimbabwe now. 2.34-for-8.
03:11Moving around. It's just the fourth time. Good catch-two. By Ridley Jacobs.
03:19He started a charge. Then he went back. Swung lustily at it.
03:23Got a 50-stop edge. It flew. And wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs reaching high.
03:29Made a very good catch. And Rion King has got his fifth wicket.
03:36This was a good catch. A tough edge. Flying well over the head of Ridley Jacobs.
03:41But he got there. Good bowling from Rion King.
03:44Well, Rion's start again. Just attempting to put the ball off his straight.
03:50Started to come down. Then went back. But he's back now in the pavilion, that is.
03:55It's tough. Because there was no one behind Ambrose.
03:59And he would have had some... It would have been some dusted stuff lying around.
04:03We're trying to stop that throw-in.
04:07Bowling. That's gone. And Sabina block. They're on their feet again.
04:12That's the leg we've been talking about.
04:14He pitched it up. Goodwin couldn't come forward in time.
04:17Stumps fit eagle. It's a brilliant bit of bowling.
04:22And I'm so glad he did it then. Because he's tried to come forward at the last minute.
04:27That front foot hasn't even got past the flop increase, I think you'll find.
04:31Rion King takes the third Zimbabwe wicket. That and Murray Goodwin.
04:35And now all sorts of problems for the visitors at 37'3".
04:39Andy Flower. The Zimbabwe captain.
04:44Like his opposition captain. A left-hander. Which is wise here.
04:54Goodwin just late on it. The ball came back a little bit.
04:58It has to be fair to the back. Very similar to the Ranatunga reaction when he got hit.
05:11Cut away. And if you flash, you flash hard. And it'll take some catching.
05:16Rion King bowls with some sort of pace. And that's the boundary ropes to the flash.
05:27Bowling. Stops dry everywhere.
05:31King gets his second wicket.
05:35The lull before the storm. Sabina Park are on their feet again. The music's clearing. There's no doubt.
05:45Keeps the traction low. Comes into the left-hander. Middle stump. Hot wheels out the ground.
05:50King strikes. The Zimbabwe captain. He's gone for ten. And Zimbabwe 48 for four.
05:56Neil Johnson. Normally an opener. Coming in at number six. After the demise of his captain.
06:07Rion King changes the angle. Goes round the wicket. Within two deliveries.
06:13Would have had a chance at either end. Has a very accurate throw.
06:17Wabel Hines. Very disappointed.
06:27So go down to the third man boundary. For four.
06:31He just pulled a hand off it as he played. It rose. It kicked just a little bit.
06:36Just straightening again there from Rion King. Ball hit pretty high up on the back as well.
06:41But still not really carrying in the air. Even if there was a fielder in that direction.
06:45And don't think it would have been a catch. Would have probably fallen short of him.
06:51But that's the pretty good line.
06:57That's when he does get away. And that will be four runs.
07:01There is no third man. He played it fairly square too.
07:05And he was just a little short.
07:07And it's magnificently driven. That was a very good shot.
07:11And that was a typical Neil Johnson shot. Presenting the full place of the bat to it.
07:18And finding the gap.
07:20Those were the sort of shots that Neil Johnson was playing in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
07:23In the recent Triangler tournament. And the few games against England.
07:28Very strong player through the offside.
07:32Absolutely nothing wrong with that shot.
07:35Right foot coming right out to the pitch. And also the line. And the full flow of the bat.
07:41Rion King won on October 6, 1975.
07:45He represented the West Indies in 19 test matches and 50 ODIs.
07:50Blessed with a rhythmic run-up and effortless pace.
07:53His action often drew comparison to the great Michael Holden.
07:57During the 99-2000 home season.
08:00Rion King looked like the next big thing in the West Indies cricket.
08:03His median five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe came during the golden run.
08:08And a few weeks later, his discipline spells helped clinch a hard-fought win over Pakistan.
08:14Together with Franklin Rose, Rion King was seen as part of the next generation ready to step into the shoes of legendary Kurt Liam Rose and Courtney Wash.
08:24But fate had other plans. A troublesome heel injury during the 2000 tour of England and did his progress.
08:32He was known for his quiet temperament and lower order batting at number 10.
08:37Rion King slowly drifted away from the international scene.
08:41After years in the wilderness, he made a brief comeback in 2004-05 series against South Africa.
08:47When senior players were sidelined due to a contract dispute.
08:50Although his return was short-lived, his ballet in Kingston remains a proud reminder of what could have been.
08:57A fastballer with great pace, rhythm and a fleeting touch of brilliance that once lit up the Caribbean skies.
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