Familiar Faces Missing from Red Stripe

The Red Stripe Bowl competition will be missing some familiar faces this year. Junior Murray (Windwards), Franklyn Rose (Jamaica) and Sherwyn Campbell (Barbados) are all unavailable for the region's premier competition because of pro duties overseas, adding fuel to the controversy surrounding the West Indies eligibility rule.

Rose, a fast bowler who has played in 19 Tests and 27 ODIs for the West Indies, has failed to secure a release from Sunderland in England's North East Premier League. Rose's absence from the Red Stripe Bowl effectively rules him out of contention for the upcoming World Cup tournament.

With the paucity of legitimate pacemen who can hold a straight bat, Rose would certainly be in the running for a place in the West Indies World Cup squad and the fact that he'll miss the Red Stripe Bowl not only hurts Jamaica's chances this year but the senior West Indies team as well.

The absence of Sherwyn Campbell and Junior Murray won't be as severe for the West Indies team as both are considered over-the-hill but there is no doubt Murray's experience would be missed by the Windward Islands squad, which has already lost out of Nixon McLean and Cameron Cuffy.

Campbell, too, was expected to spearhead Barbados' batting line-up. Both Campbell and Murray are on contract with Lashings in England.

Meanwhile, tournament newcomers St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has added McLean and Cuffy to its 14-man squad. McLean, a pro on the South Africa circuit, will partner with Cuffy and newcomers Kissinger McLean (his brother) and Calvert Hooper to lead the team's bowling attack. SVG, Antigua and the University of the West Indies are all fielding individual teams this year.

Veteran opener batsman Darnley Joseph will headline the batting line-up along with Romel Currency, Kenroy Martin and Reynold McLean

SVG SQUAD:
Uzzah Pope (likely captain), Romel Currency, Denis Byam, Darnley Joseph, Bertram Stapleton, Kenroy Martin, Reynold McLean, Orlonzo Jackson, Alston Bobb, Kissinger McLean, Nixon McLean, Cameron Cuffy, Calvert Hooper, Kenroy Peters.

WINDWARD ISLANDS SQUAD:
Rawl Lewis (captain), Devon Smith, Alton Crafton, Kirsten Casimir, John Eugene, Danny Harris, Balty Watt, Kevil George, Wayne Phillip, Shane Shillingford, Fernix Thomas, Ray Casimir, Troy George, Darren Sammy.