Axed player praises selectors

It is not often that Barbados cricket selectors are praised. Especially from someone who was axed from the national team while he was on a high.

But these days, Stanton Proverbs has nothing but admiration for the men responsible for picking the Barbados team. And after he became the first player this season to complete the cricketing double of 50 wickets and 500 runs in the 2001 Courts/Suzuki Division 1 competition, the Police captain is instead bemoaning the attitude of the youngsters.

Proverbs has so far yielded 52 wickets from his off-spin and 582 runs from his blade in ten matches.

Nearing the end of his career for Barbados he produced a scintillating 112 as he led the charge for victory over Trinidad and Tobago, but ever since, he has been a spectator. However, he is far from bitter.

The 33-year-old's maturity and mode suggests that the more older you grow, the wiser you get, as he discussed the difficult role selectors face because of impressive performances from senior players in Division 1 cricket, against some patchy periods from the younger brigade.

Proverbs says that some young players need to really challenge the older ones for a play in the squad. He says it irks him when people cry down the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) for not developing cricket, or not doing enough to encourage young people into playing.

I think the BCA is doing a lot. They have coaches spread out in the country. Good coaches, like George Linton, Thelston Payne and those guys working with the youngsters at every level. So I think they are doing all they can.

The problem to me is that the youngsters don't seem to be dedicated enough to the sport. We can't blame the selectors or the BCA, I think they are doing their part. Youngsters need to understand that they can make a living out of playing cricket and once they are involved they have to keep working at their fitness and continually working at their game.

Proverbs, who also a superb volleyballer before embarking on a cricket career, has adopted a totally unselfish attitude to playing cricket again for Barbados. Instead, he wants to be part of a team that can in anyway help to develop and build the character of younger players.

The way I see life is that people will give way to you and at times you have to give way to others. It's never an easy job for the selectors. I think they are trying to give the youngsters an opportunity to come through and play for the West Indies.

But at the same time there are looking to give some of the guys who have played for the West Indies a second chance, so you have to appreciate that it's a difficult job to get the right mix and the right blend.

Regardless of what they do, you have to support them. Whether you are outside or inside the team.

There is another thing he remains passionate about on the cricket field. That is, his commitment to Police and the time he is devoting to continuing his success.

After all, 50 wickets and 500 runs don't come easy.

The achievement is one I would say was never beyond me. For the last couple of seasons I have been getting 38, 40 wickets and scoring over 500 runs. Because of the covered wickets I've had the opportunity to bowl a bit more this season.

If you think Proverbs has achieved his goal, guess again.

When you check the statistics by the end of this year, don't be surprised if you see Stanton Proverbs in the 700-run column and 70-wicket club.

After all, he's already ahead of the pack.