West Indies Domestic: Sobers to the rescue

Cricket Icon Sir Garfield Sobers heads a distinguished list of former West Indies players who will be dishing out words of wisdom to Barbados Busta Cup team over the next few weeks.

On the eve of their opening match, team captain Philo Wallace revealed that five outstanding former Barbados cricketers would be helping them in their quest to successfully defend the regional title.

Sir Garry, undoubtedly the games finest ever all-round player, will be joined by fellow former West Indies caps Gordon Greenidge, Seymour Nurse, Collis King and David Holford, who is also chairman of the Barbados Cricket Associations cricket committee.

All the guys are eagerly awaiting to hear from these former great cricketers, Wallace told WeekendSport ahead of their clash against Guyana starting today at Kensington Oval.

We know that their contribution to Barbados cricket was significant and we as younger cricketers have to make our contribution just as significant.

Cricket in the modern day is a bit harder. It requires a bit more skill and the experience of the older guys will help us along the way to achieve our goals.

Even before a ball has been bowled, Wallaces men have already benefited from the advice from chairman of selectors Desmond Haynes along with Reverend Eliseus Joseph and Neilson Waithe, the pair having been brought in by team sponsors Texaco for the series of sessions late last year.

Waithe returned yesterday morning to bless the team at a practice session at Queens Park where a few showers hampered last-minute preparations.

Wallace, however, was upbeat about the overall build-up which was helped by good batting surfaces at the Park and the contribution of new trainer, Defence Force Sergeant Major Val Fergusson.

Barbados are the most celebrated team at regional level with 16 titles since 1966, but they have not successfully defended a championship since 1980.

Wallace, a member of winning Barbados teams of 1991, 1995, 1997 and 1999, put it down to complacency, something which he insisted will be eliminated against a Guyana team without Carl Hooper.

Not for the first time, Guyana have been affected by persistent rain leading up to the competition.

Their practice on turf has been limited, but coach Clyde Butts was confident of a good showing.

Its a pity that we havent had the sort of net sessions that we would have liked, but I think this Guyana side is ready, said Butts, a former West Indies off-spinner and Guyanas most successful bowler at regional level.

Hooper not coming is a big disappointment, but we have got to go on.

Cricket has been here for a long time. Were going to come and leave it as well. Were going to miss Hooper, but we are prepared to play good cricket.