Barbados: Sherwin Campbell right man to lead (7 January 1999)

7 January 1999

Barbados: Sherwin Campbell right man to lead

By Philip Spooner

Sherwin Campbell is the man the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) should give the job of leading the national team in the 1999 Busta Cup.

Late yesterday the BCA board of management was scheduled to meet to select a replacement for Philo Wallace, who is in South Africa with the West Indies team.

Campbell, a 28-year-old right-handed opener and vice-captain to Wallace in the Red Stripe Bowl One-Day tournament, has long been earmarked for the job of captain and should finally get the nod. Seen as a natural leader, he has been groomed for captaincy, leading teams at every level.

He started at Ellerslie School, moved to the Combined Schools, on to the Barbados youth team in 1989 and 1990, the 1990 West Indies youth team against Australia, and YMPC in Division 1.

A small man, just five-feet-six, he however, commands the full respect of his peers with a calm approach, dry wit and wide knowledge of the game.

This was evident yesterday, the final day of the second trial match, when he used his bowlers wisely to dismiss Roland Holder's XI for 189 in their second innings.

Campbell started with veteran left-arm spinner Winston Reid, who captured three wickets for 48 runs from 35 overs, while leg-spinner Terry Rollock had two for 35.

These two were used in the morning session, and when they were rested Campbell turned to the seam duo of Corey Collymore and Hendy Bryan.

Again the partnership worked, with Bryan (two for 25) polishing off the tail and Collymore bowling an admirable line and length.

Teenaged batsman Ryan Hinds, who made an undefeated 59 in the first innings, added just four runs to his overnight score before falling for 35. The next best effort came from wicket-keeper Ricky Hoyte, who made 34.

Of the others vying for the captaincy, 'keeper Courtney Browne has a good track record and would make a fine deputy to Campbell; Roland Holder had an unsuccessful stint at the helm in the past, and Reid and Adrian Griffith were always seen as outsiders.

The selection of the 13-member team for the opening game next Friday against the Windwards is the other issue.

Based on past performances and team structure Campbell, Griffith, Reid, Bryan, Browne, Holder, and left-arm pacer Pedro Collins are automatic choices, once fit.

Of the other 25 who were invited to trials only nine have submitted claims worthy of consideration.

The eventual team will ultimately depend on what combination the selectors aim for.

The Windwards have a weakness against spin bowling and Spartan leg-spinner Dave Marshall might find favour.

A lion-hearted player, he was outstanding in the trials, taking six wickets in the opening game at Queen's Park and bagging a hat-trick on Tuesday, along with two polished innings.

Teenager Hinds is another who should make the grade. Only 17, he had two mature half-centuries, and with the West Indies looking for young batting talent now is the time for his inclusion.

There are a number of fast-bowling options, including Collymore, who was accurate in the trials; Hattian Graham, who had a six-wicket haul on Tuesday, and Patterson Thompson.

Apart from Hinds, other batsmen in line are experienced left-hander Ricky Hoyte; Stanton Proverbs, and 21-year-old Shawn Graham - both excellent fielders; and Raymond Griffith, who had a century on the opening day of the final match.

One player who might not get a look-in in the short-term but is worthy of consideration is 17-year-old fast bowler Ryan Best. He was the fastest on the slow pitches and troubled the batsmen throughout.

It's now up to the selectors to pick the "horses" they want for this course.

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