Born on October 24, 1967, in Belmont, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, in the sun-kissed Caribbean, Ian Raphael Bishop is his full name.

At one stage, before a debilitating back injury struck him, he was considered one of the most lethal fast bowlers in the world cricketing arena.

Now, the ever-smiling, genial, Ian Bishop is a respected TV cricket commentator, and a much sought after character.

If my memory serves me right, Ian Bishop was the first genuine fast bowler to emerge from Trinidad who played with distinction for the West Indies.

He represented the West Indies between 1989 and 1988, and captured 100 Test wickets in just 21 Tests.

A powerful fast bowler with a talent for out-swing, severe back injuries cut him down in 1991. But he came back strongly and made adjustments to his bowling action, making a strong comeback in 1992. However, the following year, he was struck down by injuries again and could not make it back until 1995.

That was probably the beginning of the end of Ian Bishop’s career as a Test and One-day cricketer at international level.

In between commentating on cricket, Ian Bishop studied for an MBA at the University of Leicester between 2004 and 2005.

Ian Raphael Bishop (born October 24, 1967 in Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago) is a former West Indian cricketer, who represented his team between 1989 and 1998. He reached 100 test wickets in only 21 test matches. A powerful fast bowler with a talent for out-swing, he rehabilitated strongly and made adjustments to his bowling action, returning strongly late in 1992.

He now tours the globe as a commentator. Like several other past players for the West Indies, he is quite vocal about the languishing state of his former team.