WI local: Richie to lead WI 'B'

Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson will lead the West Indies 'B' team in the upcoming Busta Cup Competition.

Antiguan Richardson, who led the West Indies between 1992 and 1996, has been chosen by the West Indies Cricket Board to captain the team of emerging players in the regional first-class competition.

Two Barbadians, batsman Kurt Wilkinson and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, have been picked in the 13-man squad. There are also three reserves, including 19- year-old Barbadian fast bowler Marlon Franklyn.

Wilkinson was a member of the West Indies Under-19 team to the Youth Would Cup earlier this year, while Benn made his first-class debut in January against the Leeward Islands. Wilkinson's only first-class match was in August when he made a polished 48 not out for Barbados against South Africa 'A' at the Windward Cricket Ground in St. Philip.

Apart from Benn the team includes two other highly-touted spin bowlers. They are Trinidadian Rodney Sooklal, who made his first-class debut in the 1999 Busta Cup, and Grenadian Camilus Alexander, who plays club cricket in Barbados for Pickwick.

The most experienced player among the youngsters is keeper Wayne Philip, who was part of the West Indies touring party to England this year.

Three fast bowlers have been selected, Jermaine Lawson of Jamaica, Guyanese Reon Griffith and Kenroy Peters of St. Vincent.

Full squad: Richie Richardson captain (Antigua), Andrew Gonsalves (Guyana), David Bernard Jr. (Jamaica), Kurt Wilkinson and Sulieman Benn (Barbados), Tonito Willett (Nevis), Zaheer Ali and Rodney Sooklal (Trinidad and Tobago), Camilus Alexander (Grenada), Reon Griffith (Guyana), Jermaine Lawson (Jamaica), Kenroy Peters and Wayne Philip (Windwards).

Reserves: Tyrone Greenaway (Leewards), Carlton Baugh Jr. (Jamaica), Marlon Franklyn (Barbados). Manager: Alfred Bynoe. Coach: Gus Logie.