Holder: Covers would be cool

Roland holder hit the first century of the Courts/Suzuki Division 1 season for ICB Empire last week, but there are a number of things bothering him about local cricket.

The Empire captain made a rapid 108 as his side reached 214 for eight, but expressed the belief that the competition could be a lot better, if for one, pitches were covered.

'The pitches nowadays are not as good as when I started and its time we looked at introducing covers,' said the 32-year-old Holder who made his first-class debut for Barbados back in 1986.

'It is not a criticism, but just one way we could look at improving the game in general.

The former West Indies batsman, who made his Division 1 debut way back in 1982, also thinks the Goddard's Enterprises Schools Competition is hampering progress. He suggested that there should be a return to the days when schools competed against clubs.

'You need to compete against people who are better than you. This would help to toughen the players from an early age.' Holder said.

Apart from Holder's century they were other fine knocks on the opening day of the season. BNB St. Catherine teenager Kayode Pantophlet held up Big B Spartan with 58 not out and Stanton Proverbs' 76 for defending champs Stansfeld Scott Police.

At Queen's Park: BNB St. Catherine 240-8 (Kayode Pantophlet 58 n.o, Thelston Payne 30; Hattian Graham 4-44, Sulieman Benn 4-59) vs Big B Spartan.

At Blenheim: BCL 100 (Wendell Coppin 4-19, William Lashley 4-29) Caribbean Lumber YMPC 45-2.

At Trents: Mount Gay Maple 92 (Pedro Collins 4-23, Mike Edwards 4-38) Cockspur Wanderers 30-2.

At St James Secondary: CHIC Schools North 149-8 (Rohan Nurse 31) vs Cable & Wireless BET.

At Kingsland: CHIC Schools South 72 (Hendy Broomes 4-23, Callitos Lopez 4-26) United Carlton 107-2 (Ron Cumberbatch 41)

At the Brewery: ICB Empire 214-8 (Roland Holder 108, Shawn Graham 59; Greg Alleyne 5-33) vs Banks.

At Kensington Oval: Stansfeld Scott Police 182-7 (Stanton Proverbs 76, Fliston Gilkes 34) vs ESA Field Pickwick.