Campbell the right choice

The question of the captaincy of the Barbados cricket team for next year's Busta Cup seems to be a big talking point but it makes you wonder why there's a debate in the first place.

The incumbent Sherwin Campbell was only appointed this season and Barbados won the Cup even though it is a fact that Ian Bradshaw who deputised while Campbell was on tour with the West Indies also played his part in the overall triumph.

Why in heaven's name would there be any suggestion that the selection panel might recommend his removal?

The only logical reason would be that they feel it would be better to relieve him of the pressure that goes with being captain so that he can concentrate primarily on his batting now with renewed vigour in his quest to regain his place at the top of the West Indies batting order.

Even so, I believe that if these were Campbell's own thoughts he would have been keen to give up the captaincy voluntarily.

That there has been no indication of this from him means that he is still very interested in doing the job. And if he is, he should retain the reins.

Leadership is nothing new to Campbell and as a youth player he was a prolific scorer while at the helm of both the Barbados and West Indies teams.

Responsibility has helped him rather than burdened him therefore I see no reason why this outlook should change.

Besides, like everyone else, Campbell would have recognised that events in Sri Lanka recently may have made it possible for him or any other aspirant to open the innings sooner than they had imagined.

A renewed focus could reap great rewards and if Campbell scores big in the Busta Cup he could be back in business by the time the Indians reach the Caribbean.

Of course, at this stage, too, it is clear that he needs to regain lost confidence.

To relieve him of the captaincy now could only dent his self esteem and embroil him in more self doubt than he currently needs. The selectors must by all means keep Campbell captain.