A Kerry, Kerry Christmas

Kerry Lucas will have a Merry Christmas, as he was the only major surprise in the Barbados team for the opening Busta Cup match against Guyana from January 7 to 10.

Lucas, the Big B Spartan captain, was one of four newcomers to first-class cricket in a 13-man squad announced shortly before 7 p.m. at Kensington Oval yesterday.

The other new faces are opener Wayne Blackman and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, also of Spartan, and Antonio Mayers, who has One-Day experience in the Red Stripe Bowl over the past two years.

'I'm shocked,' the 22-year-old Lucas said. 'I did not expect this, but I want to do well.'

The well-organised right-hander endured a fruitless season in the Division 1 championship and struggled in the trials with scores of five, 15 and 27.

He was used in a strange position for him, opener, but in his final knock of 27, which spanned three hours yesterday in the drawn final trial, he showed glimpses of maturity and reliability.

The 6 ft. 5 in. Benn is seen as the man to fill the shoes of Winston Reid, who retired earlier this year after 13 years of service.

'I feel good about being selected and I'm hoping to do well for Barbados,' said the 18-year-old, the domestic season's leading wicket-taker with 78 scalps.

'I don't know if I can fill Reid's boots, but I will try to do it in quick time.'

Blackman, a classy 24-year-old strokemaker, like Benn, is a former Ellerslie schoolboy and will partner captain Philo Wallace at the top of the order.

He too was elated with his inclusion and said the journey had only just begun.

Mayers, a batting all-rounder with obvious talent, owes his selection mainly to two half-centuries in trials and a maiden Division 1 century for cable & Wireless BET two weekends ago.

'I feel really good and I'm hoping to play in the opening game and do well,' the 20-year-old said.

There is a return to first-class cricket for Dayne Maynard, the muscular BNB St. Catherine fast bowler who last played for Barbados in 1996.

At age 30, he owes his return to a fine Division 1 season and consistent performances in the trial.

All-rounders Ryan Hurley and Ian Bradshaw, both in their mid-20s, were highly-touted in their teens. They are back in the framework after spending the last few seasons in the wilderness.

Philo Wallace (captain), Wayne Blackman, Kerry Lucas, Roland Holder, Floyd Reifer, Antonio Mayers, Ryan Hurley, Courtney Browne, Ian Bradshaw, Hendy Bryan, Sulieman Benn, Dave Marshall, Dayne Maynard; manager: Tony Howard; coach: William Bourne.