Merv Dillon

Dillon has worn the mantle of premier strike bowler for some time in the West Indies camp and is gradually adding the consistency required at Test level.

Date of Birth: 5 June 1974, Mission Village, Toco, Trinidad  Test Debut: Against India at Trinidad in 1996/97  ODI Debut: Against South Africa at Lahore in 1997/98  Bats: Right Hand Bat  Bowls: Right Arm Fast Medium

Merv Dillon has worn the mantle of premier strike bowler for some time in the West Indies camp and is gradually adding the consistency required at Test level.

The Trinidadian has a style reminiscent of Courtney Walsh, but lacks the fire and consistency which enabled Walsh to become Test cricket's leading wicket-taker.

In the late 1990s, Dillon came to be regarded as a one-day specialist. But the retirements of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose speeded his return to the Test arena.

An excellent boundary fielder, with a strong arm and a safe catching technique to boot, Dillon's only weakness is his batting.

He displayed his competence in the final Test against India in 2002 when he took 5-71 in the first innings to help his side to a 155-run win which also clinched the series.

In 2003-04 season he was left out of the Caribbean team visiting South Africa but was recalled for the Champions Trophy later in the year. In the match against Bangladesh he got his career-best 5 for 29 but had to opt out of the rest of the tournament due to injury.