Barbados: Bat Brothers, Griffith boys get nod (8 January 1999)

8 January 1999

Barbados: Bat Brothers, Griffith boys get nod

By Haydn Gill

Two brothers have been named in a senior Barbados cricket team for the first time in 17 years.

Raymond Griffith, on the basis of his century in the final trial match last weekend, earns his first call-up and joins older brother Adrian in a 13-man squad announced yesterday for Barbados' first round Busta Cup match starting next Friday.

"I'm happy, very elated. I'm a little surprised but I had the runs and I knew I was in with a chance," the younger Griffith told WEEKENDSPORT.

Raymond, 24, is one of three uncapped players in a squad that will be captained by experienced batsman Roland Holder.

The 31-year-old Holder, who led Barbados for three successive seasons from 1992, is the interim skipper in the absence of Philo Wallace who is on duty on the West Indies' ill-starred tour of South Africa.

The other players without first-class experience in the squad are gifted all-rounder Ryan Hinds and recuperating fast bowler Corey Collymore.

Not since 1982 when the Reifers, Leslie and George, played against the Leeward Islands in St. Kitts, have two brothers been picked in a Barbados team.

The Proverbs boys - Stanton and Ahmed - as well as Sylvester Clarke and Roddy Estwick were all picked at some stage, but at no time did any of the brothers play together.

The Griffiths seem certain to occupy two of the first three slots in Barbados' opening match against the Windward Islands at Kensington Oval.

The 27-year-old Adrian, who has batted at No. 3 for most of the last few seasons, will move up to fill the opening slot vacated by Wallace, while Raymond is tipped to go in at No. 3, a position he filled for the Barbados youth team in 1992 and 1993.

Raymond admitted yesterday that the influence of his brother went a long way in his selection.

"Adrian has always been telling me to hang in there and score runs," he said.

"When he came back (from India with the West Indies 'A' team), he just kept on telling me I had to bat, even when were on opposing sides.

"The thing about it is that when he bats well, I find that I bat well too."

During the two trial matches, Raymond had the unaccustomed role of opening the batting, but responded with a solid century in the final match.

"It wasn't easy. I have never been an opener," he said.

"After the coach told me I had to open the batting, I didn't fuss. There was a big psychological aspect to overcome, but Sherwin (Campbell) helped me a lot."

Holder, Barbados' most experienced player at the regional level, is happy to be given another chance at the helm.

"It is an honour for anyone to lead their country. I just happened to be chosen and I am hoping to give of my best," he said during a practice session at Queen's Park yesterday.

"In every task, there is a challenge. It is necessary for you to have that stimulation to play for your country."

Hinds, 17, and Collymore, 21, are uncapped at first-class level, but both have toured with senior Barbados teams in the past.

Hinds played in the Red Stripe Bowl and Commonwealth Games late last year while Collymore was in the Barbados 13-man squad for most of 1996 before serious back injuries twice interrupted his career.

The rest of the squad was fairly predictable.

Campbell will open with Adrian Griffith and the final batting spot went to Horace Waldron ahead of Ricky Hoyte, Stanton Proverbs or Shawn Graham.

The bowling is in the hands of pacers Hendy Bryan, Pedro Collins, Patterson Thompson, Collymore along with spinners Winston Reid and Dave Marshall.

Courtney Browne is the wicket-keeper.

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)