Selectors blend youth and experience

Windward Islands selectors have named a 14- man squad for the KFC Limited Overs competition set for Guyana starting next Tuesday.

Selectors Julian Jack, Irvine Shillingford and George Alfred have blended youth and experience.{{more}}

Two newcomers are among the fourteen chosen following the Windwards Tournament which ended here last Sunday.

The two given the nod to represent the grouping at the senior level for the first time are Vincentian middle order batsman Donwell Hector and fast bowler Grenadian Nellon Pascal.

The right-handed Hector lashed the lone century of 130 versus Grenada, and had two half centuries in his debut match against St.Lucia in the three day version of the Tournament.

Pascal, a former Windwards Under-19 player, bowled with much speed and control in the Tournament.

Returning to the squad are Grenadian openers Heron Campbell and Devon Smith.

Completing the Grenadians chosen are long standing captain Rawle Lewis and the hard hitting middle order batsman Andre Fletcher.

Vincentian Miles Bascombe, who had a lean tournament, playing only in his team’s last three day match against Dominica as well as the two One day fixtures against Dominica and St. Lucia, joins Campbell and Smith at the top of the order.

Liam Sebastian, who flew in only for the One-Day competition, is another middle order batsman selected. The left hander struck a century versus Grenada last Sunday in the final to set up his team’s win.

St. Lucian Garry Mathurin and Dominican Shane Shillingford will support Lewis in the spin department.

Lynden James retains his place as the wicketkeeper. The Vincentian maintained the spot earned three years ago with the non availability of Junior Murray, who has since retired from representing the Windwards at this level, after he was dropped during the regional four day tournament earlier this year.

The fast bowling department is served by left arm seamer Vincentian Deighton Butler, St Lucian Darren Sammy and right arm pacer Domincan Mervyn Mathurin.

Lewis, Sammy, Smith and Butler are the old guards in the team, having represented the West Indies at the senior level. Lewis, Smith and Sammy have played at both the test and One day level, with Butler’s appearances restricted to the shorter version.

In announcing the team last Sunday evening at Murray’s Heights, Chairman of selectors Jack asked for more from the players, as it was reported that some of them “ were less than cooperative”, based on reports from the management team in the most recent tournaments held earlier this year, the KFC Cup and the Carib Beer Series.

The Windwards, the losing finalists in the KFC Cup staged here last February, open their campaign against the host at Albion Sports Club October 16, then face the defending champions Trinidad and Tobago at Bourda October 18.

On Saturday, October 20, the Windwards meet The Combined University of the West Indies and Colleges at Blairmont.

The other group hosts Barbados, Jamaica, the Leewards and the West Indies Under-19. The two top teams from each of the groups will advance to the semi finals at the 3W’s Oval in Barbados, October 25 and 26. The Final is set for Sunday October 28 at the same venue.(RT)