WI local:Young head

Barbados' cricket selectors put their faith in youth yesterday, naming 26-yearold Ian Bradshaw as cricket captain.

The level-headed allrounder, the country's third cricket captain in the last year, immediately promised to embrace input from all around him.

Bradshaw, a left-handed batsman and left-arm fast bowler, has played in only six first-class matches since his debut in 1998, but brings with him the experience of leading the Barbados and West Indies youth teams.

"I have my own style of doing things. I am fairly quiet and laid-back and I will try to allow other people to express themselves and gather as many opinions as possible," he told weekendsport during a lunch-time break at a training session at Weymouth yesterday.

"I believe a lot in getting input from all players, whether it be juniors or seniors because I believe every contribution is important."

Bradshaw will be at the helm for the first four matches, when it is expected that Sherwin Campbell will be on duty with the West Indies team in Australia.

The selectors could also have turned to Philo Wallace, Barbados captain from 1996 to 1998 and again in 2000, or Roland Holder, skipper from 1992 to 1994 and two seasons ago.

Against the background of his limited first-class experience and the availability of other senior players like Adrian Griffith and Floyd Reifer, Bradshaw said he was surprised at his elevation.

"It is an honour and a privilege to be selected. I am hoping that I can do justice to the position," the Cockspur Wanderers captain said.

"It is one in which you are representing a country with a great cricketing tradition and a lot of pride is involved."

The former Harrison College schoolboy, however, is looking forward to the assignment.

"It is going to be a great challenge. I am hoping that Barbados can win the Busta Cup and do so in an impressive manner," Bradshaw said.

"We are playing in a regional competition among the best players in the Caribbean and all the teams look at Barbados as a major game because of our tradition over the years.

"We as a team have to be prepared to accept the challenge and rise above it."

Barbados' opening match is against Guyana starting January 5 and the selectors met last night to pick a 16-man squad and also recommend four Under-23 players for the West Indies "B" team.