Six new faces at Carlton

Carlton Cricket Club has attracted six new faces going into this year's Division 1 cricket competition, which starts on Saturday.

Speaking to Nation Sport, new coach Dale Elcock said he was not expecting too much too soon from the young brigade, but hoped the club would become a channel for future development.

'The guys are young and must get into the club system first,' he said. 'You have to give them a few seasons before we can talk of winning a cup and all that.

'Our aim is not to rush the players, but to develop their techniques and make them available for Barbados and West Indies cricket,' Elcock said.

Joining the Carlton ranks are West Indies Under-19 players Callitos Lopez and Kurt Wilkinson, and Barbados Under-19 all-rounder Vonrick Nurse.

Also making the move are Randy Graham, who led the Nortel Development XI in last year's West Indies Youth Championship, left-hander Sadiq Hill and attacking batsman Dale Richards.

Carlton are also hoping to have West Indies 'A' team batsman Marlon Samuels for part of the season after the Jamaican competition ends.

Wilkinson, a polished right-hand bat, and Lopez, a fast bowler, were members of the West Indies to the Youth World Cup, while Nurse played in the champion Barbados team in last year's Nortel.

Richards has come over from Conrad Hunte Sports Club, where he came to national attention with flamboyant strokeplay in last year's Barbados Fire & General Shield one-day competition.

Hill, a stocky left-handed batsman who can also bowl spin or mediumpace, has transferred from Combined Schools North, as has Graham. Nurse, a slim batting all-rounder, joins from the Schools South.

Former West Indies Under-19 captain Shirley Clarke takes over the captaincy from veteran fast bowler Hendy Broomes, while Clarke's older brothers, Ikins and Terry, will lead the Intermediate and Division 2 teams, respectively.

Former West Indies opener Desmond Haynes is chairman of selectors. Adrian 'Smiley' Bailey is manager and Chris King, assistant coach.