WI local:Run drought hits trials

Barbados Cricket Coach William Bourne is concerned about the lack of runs at trials as the national team prepares for the Busta Cup competition next month.

"We need a bit more commitment. We need some more runs too," he said yesterday after batsmen again failed in the second trial at Queen's Park.

"There has been a lack of thought in the batting. The batsmen must understand they are going out to do a job-that is to bat. They are missing a few basic things and one is planning an innings. There has simply been no settling down."

West Indies openers Philo Wallace and Adrian Griffith, and Shirley Clarke were the only batsmen to past 50 before yesterday. The only total over 300 in seven innings came from Ian Bradshaw's side in the first innings of the just concluded match.

Shawn Armstrong notched a half-century yesterday, as there was time for a fifth innings on the final day, after both teams were dismissed twice.

The selectors have one more match next week to have a final look at the candidates before picking the 13-man squad on Wednesday. They will also choose four players for the West Indies Under-23 team.

Bourne said former national captain Roland Holder, who suffered a finger injury in September, will not be part of the final trial, but is expected to be available for the Busta Cup.

Bourne, a former Barbados fast bowler who also played for Warwickshire in the English County Championship, also touched on the young batsmen, saying that while none has been outstanding, they were benefiting from the experience.

"The selectors chose some players to get experience, and while all cannot make the team, some will gain experience. Maybe two, three years down the road they should be able to make the smooth transition (to the senior level)," Bourne said.

The coach added that while the batting has been poor the bowling has not been outstanding and there is still work to be done there as well.