Bravo Quits Shell Academy
Tue, Jun 3, '03
Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies youth batsman Dwayne Bravo has played his cards right in his bid to gain selection on the regional team against the visiting Sri Lanka side.
And in doing so, the talented player has opted out of the Shell Cricket Academy in St George?s, Grenada, which is co-ordinated by Dr Rudi Webster.
The Sri Lankans arrived in the Caribbean yesterday for a month-long tour which will include three Cable and Wireless One-dayers and two Test matches.
According to an official close to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the regional selectors headed by chairman Sir Vivian Richards and including former Test stars Joey Carew and Gordon Greenidge have stated an interest in the Queen?s Park cricketer.
And they have indicated that he is one of 20 players who will be short-listed for the Sri Lankan tour, which starts tomorrow with a practice match against the Shell Academy X1 at the Queen?s Park Stadium, Grenada.
Bravo has been included in the Academy X1, which will be captained by Floyd Reifer.
Recent events have revealed that students attending the Academy are not allowed to leave the institution, not even to represent the West Indies team at any level.
?If Bravo had taken up the offer to attend the academy, he would not have been selected. None of the students at the Academy are released...not even to represent the West Indies. So Bravo has made the right choice, if he intends to be part of the West Indies team against Sri Lanka.?
The source explained that Rev Wes Hall, president of the WICB has inquired into some of rules and regulations instituted by the Academy, with particular reference to players representing the regional team,? the official added.
He pointed out that the rules should be amended and changed to facilitate the up-coming youngsters.
The official mentioned that Antiguan and Leeward Islands fast bowler Kerry Jeremy was refused permission to leave the university after he was named on a West Indies ?A? team last year.
Trinidad and Tobago opening batsman Imran Jan refused to take up an offer at the university in preference of a contract in England.
Last month, Baldath Mahabir, pleaded in vain to Rev Hall and Dr Webster to release two of his players, Kenton Thompson and Damodar Dasrath, to play for FCB Clarke Road United in the Carib Cup final against Ceramic Merry Boys Sports under lights at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre.
Officials said that an all out effort will be made to Dr Webster to have the rules relaxed a bit, for budding players who are called for duty on the regional team.
* SOURCE: Trinidad Guardian.