Barbados CA finds it tough to appoint Captain

The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) last night found itself in the unusual position of trying to appoint a national captain, less than 48 hours before the start of their decisive Busta Cup match against Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow. In the circumstances, it was understandable why the delay occurred.

West Indies vice-captain Sherwin Campbell, acknowledged as the preferred choice in the normal scheme of things, returned to Barbados on Tuesday expressing a desire to play immediately.

There was, however, a school of thought in that Ian Bradshaw, the stand-in captain while Campbell was unavailable for the first six matches, should be allowed to continue in the job because of recent success.

Conscious of all of the factors, BCA officials engaged in discussions with both Campbell and Bradshaw yesterday and a decision was to be made at a meeting last night.

By extension, there was also no announcement of the 13-man squad for the all-important match at Kensington Oval.

Barbados, joint second in the overall standings with 45 points, need a victory to be assured of regaining the Busta Cup, and are also vying for a place in the semifinals of the Busta International Shield.

Coach Hendy Springer said both titles were up for grabs, but there were still a few areas of concern.

"We'll have to work hard. We have to maintain our work ethic," he said.

The standard of catching was a letdown on the opening day in Nevis where Barbados spilled four chances in the Leewards' century firstwicket stand.

As a result, the team went through an intense fielding drill at Kensington yesterday evening.

"Catching has not been our greatest asset this season," said manager Tony Howard.

"We have to work on it again and again and again until we get it right."

Trinidad and Tobago are sixth in the overall table on 34 points but they arrived in Barbados yesterday quietly upbeat that they can make the semifinals.

"The points standings speaks for itself," said manager Ian Bishop.

"It is imperative that we get an outright victory here.

"We can only control those things we are capable of controlling. We cannot control the other teams. We just have to play hard cricket, tough cricket, smart cricket."

Daren Ganga has been included in their line-up but there is no Brian Lara.

"We are prepared to go on playing with what we have," Bishop said.

"It's an opportunity for some of the young players to get another break.

"Obviously he (Lara) is a talented player and we wish that he was here with us.

"I'm sure that the whole of Barbados would have been wishing that as well - to see some of the great man."