Tino Best eager to follow Malcolm Marshall and Gordon Greenidge at Hampshire

Best has joined Hampshire on a short-term deal

Former West Indies fast bowler Tino Best has said he could not turn down the chance to follow in the footsteps of greats Malcolm Marshall and Gordon Greenidge in playing for English county side Hampshire.

Best has joined Hampshire on a short-term deal, replacing fellow former Barbados and West Indies speedster Fidel Edwards, who has been ruled out for injury, reports CMC.

"I'm like a kid in a candy store, I'm really blessed to have this opportunity and I'm ready to bowl as hard as I can", he told BBC Radio on Tuesday.

Malcolm Marshall and Gordon Greenidge are among former Hampshire overseas players from Barbados.

"I'm just relishing the opportunity to play for the same county as West Indies greats like Marshall and Greenidge," Best said.

"I've always been a student of the game. Cricket's my first love and it's what pays the bills."

Best is at the twilight of his playing career having last made an international appearance in January 2014. His move to Hampshire will be his second spell in county cricket, after playing for Yorkshire in 2010.

"The key with fast bowling is it's all about fitness. Ottis Gibson (England bowling coach and former West Indies head coach) says it's all about desire," said Best, who played in the Masters Champions League in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the winter.

"It's all about working hard and that desire will never leave me."