Campbell to replace Wallace

In a move not totally unexpected, Sherwin Campbell is tipped to replace Philo Wallace as Barbados captain for-the forthcoming Red Stripe Bowl.

The selectors yesterday announced a squad of 14, but the release from the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) made no-mention of the captain for the October 11 to 22-tournament.

The selectors' choice of captain was to be ratified at a BCA board meeting last night, but informed sources told NATIONSPORT Campbell was the unanimous recommendation.

The 29-year-old Campbell's elevation does not come as a surprise in light of the fact that he was West Indies vice-captain for this year's home series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan and subsequent trips to England and Kenya.

The solid opening batsman is no stranger to the position. He was Barbados and West Indies youth team skipper in 1989 and 1990 and captained Barbados in the 1999 Busta Cup final in the absence of the injured Roland Holder.

Wallace, 30, has enjoyed a decent record since becoming Barbados captain during the 1996 first-class season.

The aggressive opener was at the helm when the island won the 1997 Red Stripe Cup and was also captain for the 2000 Busta Cup and the last three Red Stripe Bowl limited-overs tournaments.

The Barbados squad had been reduced to 16 on Tuesday, but confirmation of the final 14 only came yesterday after the West Indies' elimination from the International Cricket Council's Mini World Cup in Kenya.

Campbell and wicket-keeper Courtney Browne would have been unavailable for the early phase of the Red Stripe Bowl had the West Indies beaten Sri Lanka and advanced to Sunday's quarterfinal against Pakistan.

With Campbell and Browne due home this weekend, young wicket-keeper Patrick Browne and batsman Kurt-Wilkinson missed out-on selection.

The team, which will be playing in Zone 'A' of the competition in Jamaica, was fairly predictable.

It features two players who are new to this level of cricket. They are the Carlton pair of 24-year-old stroke-maker Dale Richards and 19- year-old exciting fast bowling all-rounder Callitos Lopez.

Both made their first-class debut in a four-day match for Barbados against South Africa 'A'-in August.

Barbados are in Zone 'A' with hosts Jamaica, Trinidad, United States and Canada. Their first match is against Canada next Wednesday at Kensington Park in the capital city of Kingston.

The squad: Sherwin Campbell, Philo Wallace, Adrian Griffith, Floyd Reifer, Ryan Hinds, Ryan Hurley, Courtney Browne, Ian Bradshaw, Hendy Bryan, Dave Marshall, Corey Collymore, Dale Richards, Antonio Mayers, Callitos Lopez. Manager: Tony Howard. Coach: William Bourne.