Primary Schools cricket gets going

The Island's emerging young cricketers will have a chance to show their skills, starting today.

Two matches are slated as the Piton Malta Herman Griffith Memorial Primary Schools' Competition bowls off at 10 a.m. Ignatius Byer and Selah will battle at Crab Hill, while Luther Thorne oppose Erdiston at Queen's Park.

The competition, which has attracted 61 teams, two more than last year, gets going in earnest tomorrow with 29 matches. One of the key fixtures will be between defending champions St. Giles and St. Matthew's at Blenheim 'B'. The final is slated for December 6.

During yesterday's tournament launch, co-ordinator Adrian Donovan thanked the sponsors for their continued support in helping to ensure that cricket in Barbados has a strong foundation.

This year there is an added incentive for players. The team with the highest score each week will be given some of the sponsor's product.

Added to that, the best players in the competition will be selected for specialised training with National Sports Council coaches and then with former West Indies batting stars Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge.

The best from that group will be chosen to defend the Malcolm Marshall Memorial Trophy against Trinidad and Tobago in December. Last year Barbados won the inaugural series.