Harley Skerritt back in SVG’s senior cricket training squad

Harley Skerritt, who has been the topic of much discussion over the years for his non-inclusion or non-selection in the St Vincent and the Grenadines senior cricket team, has been named among 28 for training for the 2015 Windward Islands tournament.{{more}}

The left-handed Skerritt, who has had some disciplinary issues with the local cricket authorities, was not included in the 2014 squad, when 37 names were listed.

However, current selection panel, headed by Roland Wilkinson, has rewarded Skerritt for his performances in the 2015 National Lotteries Authority Premier Division, in which he was one of Team Rivals’ top batsmen.

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT earlier this year, Wilkinson said: “There will be no bias, as I am a very straightforward person… The way I intend to work and work with the other selectors is that we are going to pick people who perform… Once you perform, that will get you into the trials and from there you still have to perform… It is not about players who we like … All the players have to do is to make my job easy once you perform.”

Skerritt helped Rivals win the Premier Division for the fourth year in succession and also landed the Twenty/20 title, which was a forerunner.

But while Skerritt has been included, middle order batsman Donwell Hector has indicated to the selectors his unavailability.

The right-handed Hector, who has represented the Windwards in the regional tournament, but has not found favour with the selectors in recent times, made his first class debut in 2008 and has notched up 23 matches, with his last being in 2013.

The full St Vincent and the Grenadines training squad is Lindon James, Romel Currency, Delorn Johnson, Miles Bascombe, Kenroy Peters, Dawnley Grant, Kenneth Dember, Keron Cottoy, Alston Bobb, Rodney Lawrence, Atticus Browne, Shaquille Browne, Sunil Ambris, Jerron John, Kesrick Williams, Rolando Wright, Desron Maloney, Deron Greaves, Asif Hooper, Romario Bibby, Casmond Walters, Harley Skerritt, Lauron Francois and Rickford Walker.

Also selected are the four players who have been named in the Windwards Under-19 team. They are Gidron Pope, Romano Pierre, Obed McCoy and Othneil Lewis.

The players will be involved in a practice match this Saturday and Sunday at the Arnos Vale One Playing Field.

St Vincent and the Grenadines will host the tournament, August 19 to 27.(RT)