New faces assured in Bowl squad

Barbados' cricket selectors are expected to meet today to finalise what should be a fairly predictable 14-man squad for the forthcoming Red Stripe Bowl.

The absence of Sherwin Campbell and Courtney Browne on West Indies duty, the retirement of mean left-arm spinner Winston Reid and the unavailability of the experienced Roland Holder have paved the way for the recruitment of a few youngsters.

The one selection that is certain to generate interest is the wicketkeeping slot that has been left vacant by the established Browne.

Promising teenager Patrick Browne and Carlo Morris are the only two specialist glovemen among the invitees at practice.

Patrick Browne and Morris are capable, but there are many who will loudly say that Corey Glasgow's wicket-keeping skills are superior to those two and second only to Courtney Browne in the country.

Glasgow performed commendably in his first-class debut against South Africa 'A' a few weeks ago and surely should have been among the invitees.

If it is felt his batting is not up to the level of that of Patrick Browne or Morris, he continues to show improvement in front of the stumps and it was emphasised against South Africa 'A' and in the Division 1 match against Empire last Saturday in which he made an impressive 74.

In the circumstances, Patrick Browne should be the choice.

From all reports, he was one of the most outstanding wicket-keepers at this year's regional Under-19 championships and he continues to show improvement at club level.

Philo Wallace, certain to be captain, is likely to be partnered at the top by Adrian Griffith, but with Campbell and Holder out, the middle order will have a somewhat inexperienced look with the exception of Floyd Reifer.

West Indies 'A' representative Ryan Hinds is the only other certainty and there are a host of other contenders: Dale Richards, Antonio Mayers, Ryan Hurley, Kurt Wilkinson, Shawn Graham, Adrian Brathwaite.

Hardly anyone will disagree with the selection of the sweet-stroking Richards. He created a big impression in the Barbados Fire & Commercial Shield competition for lower division teams last year and has been able to transfer that form to a higher notch.

One aspect that the selectors can take comfort in is that there are several 'two-dimensional' players to chose from.

Those with emphasis on batting, but are more than useful bowlers, include Hinds, Mayers, Hurley, and Brathwaite. The specialist bowlers with batting ability are Ian Bradshaw, Hendy Bryan, Hattian Graham and to a lesser extent, Dave Marshall and Callitos Lopez.

Both Hurley and Mayers have performed creditably at this level before and should be picked again.

Bryan, Bradshaw and Corey Collymore are the three leading fast bowlers, but Pedro Collins does not yet appear to be fully fit. If he is ruled out, either Hattian Graham or the exciting Lopez will fill the breach.

Marshall might not have had many chances to prove himself at this level before with Reid commanding the place of the No. 1 spinner.

During the Busta Cup earlier this year, the ebullient leg-spinner showed he was a capable replacement. He should again be the firstchoice spinner with support coming from the usually tight Sulieman Benn, Hurley and Hinds.

At the end of the day, the selection panel of Desmond Haynes (chairman), Ezra Moseley, Alvin Greenidge and Stephen Farmer should come up with the following 14 players: Philo Wallace (captain), Adrian Griffith, Dale Richards, Floyd Reifer, Ryan Hinds, Ryan Hurley, Patrick Browne, Ian Bradshaw, Hendy Bryan, Dave Marshall, Corey Collymore, Antonio Mayers, Callitos Lopez and Sulieman Benn.