Burns: Gabriel mastering the art of fast bowling

Gabriel snatched nine wickets in the second Test match against Pakistan to lead the regional team to a 106-run win and level the threematch series 1-1. Gabriel took four for 81 in the first innings and five for 11 in the second innings - his best figures in his Test career.

Burns, a former national selector, said Gabriel, 29, has been around for a long time and is elated to see his hard work begin to bear fruit.

Gabriel made his First Class debut in January 2010 but was quite erratic but has shown great discipline in line and length of late and emerged as a top bowler for the Red Force and the Windies. Burns said, “As somebody who was in the system and has been around, I am very happy for Shannon. He is now settling in to his bowling. He is now actually understanding the art of fast bowling. It is very pleasing to see the efforts he has put in and hard work pay off in the end.” Burns credited West Indies bowling coach Roddy Estwick, who replaced Sir Curtly Ambrose last year, along with TT coaches Kelvin Williams and Gus Logie for helping the TT quick begin to fulfil his potential. “I must give credit to Estwick.

He is doing a good job with the bowlers as a bowling coach.

People would forget the hard work that was put in with Shannon in the earlies with Kelvin Williams and Gus Logie and the Trinidad and Tobago set-up. He (Gabriel) is what you called a diamond in the rough.” Gabriel was the chief destroyer on a day five wicket to dismiss Pakistan for 81 in the second innings.

Burns, who played 21 first class matches for TT between 1970 and 1981, added, “He is the number one strike bowler right now. He is proving it and success would breed success.” Gabriel has bowled 15 no balls during the series so far and despite correcting that problem in the second innings of the 2nd Test, Burns said it is an area he must improve.

“It is a concern for anybody.

I think as time goes along that will be straightened out. Sometimes with enthusiasm he goes over (the) line. You can’t be too worried about that right now.” Burns said Gabriel’s strike partner Alzarri Joseph of Antigua, who is 20 years old and has only played four matches for the West Indies, is a bowler that must be groomed properly. “(He is a) good bright young prospect. As everything else when we get a young bowler on the rise, the management of that young bowler is important. We can’t overwork him. The management is important, how he is being managed on the field as far as bowling spells (is concerned).”