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A man in fine form. He followed his 96 run match vs Guyana with a century against the WI Academy and now, against Jamaica, is currently unbeaten on 108. Drakes has gotten off to a strong start with the bat this season, already scoring over 300 runs at an average of over 100 as it currently stands. His first class average is nearing 40 and with this, his third century at the level now in the books, his form if maintained may well bring him to the attention of the selectors later in the year.

Jason Mohammed, with another fine score - he is currently unbeaten on 204, has forged ahead in the batting charts for the season. The veteran Trinidad & Tobago middle order batsman has scored three consecutive centuries to start the season, with this double ton coming on the back of a century against the Windward Islands, which in turn, followed his opening round 176 vs Combined Campuses & Colleges.

I no sooner write it and Drakes gets out. Dismissed for 108 to a ball that gave Brad Barnes his fifth wicket. Ball possibly sliding down leg but a good knock nonetheless.

At the end of this round, we need to start selecting squads for A team and test team. I think that Drakes and Cooper have definitely put their names forward for the A team. Possibly with Savory and Anderson joining them.

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

that is some serious production in front the stumps, at 38 I am not sure the selectors would look his way, but he surely giving them reasons to consider him, it is hard to ignore runs regardless of age or feelings. Drakes too as well, a player I admittedly never paid much attention to, well he has my attention now for sure.

In reply to hawk

Drakes has done really well, thus far. I was quite surprised to find out that he is 30 years old - perhaps he was out of the game or the Barbados squad for a while but he is certainly clicking now.

Personally, I would have no problem selecting a 38 year old to play test cricket in the current middle order - if he is so far ahead of the young players, why not? It could easily be argued that with the exception of probably Alick Athanaze, the remaining spots in the West Indies test team's middle order are all potentially up for grabs - and one of the opening spots too.

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

Yes. I too thought it was sliding down and would not have hit leg stump.
But so it is ,no DRS so like some others more glaring, got to live with it.

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

There should be no exceptions not even for Athanaze who I happen to think is the 3rd best talent behind Hope and King in the region. Places 1-6 should be wide open though position 1 is, by default taken.

Barbados played their favorites and now have no choice but to let the likes of Drakes, Boucher get experience. Name brand was the only thing needed not the introduction of younger players to carry on. Dowrich, Moseley and Brooks were past their prime yet would walk right into the team. There is talent in Bim but could only get exposure playing for other regional teams.

If you are not scoring runs at the local level, it would be not easy to be selected.
Check 2024 bowling and batting stats.
depeiza-stars-in-bca-elite-division-championship/

In reply to JoeGrine

I think they are determined to stick with Athanaze. He patently has talent and they will ride the rough seas with him. For me, I agree with you, absolutely. NOBODY should be an automatic unless they are a world class, elite level talent.

In reply to 4REALQUICKS

Athanaze is not an automatic pick for me. 4 half centuries in 13 or so tests is at best mediocre. Positions 2-6 are up for grabs in the test team (but this does not mean that the incumbents do not have a shot (no pun intended) at keeping their places). A man who is not very good cannot justify keeping out others who may be just as bad.

In reply to seaegg99

I hear you, but those players you mentioned were still good first-class cricketers at the time and not fully pass their sell by date, opportunity must be given to tests discards to rebuild their careers at the regional level even with that only 11 guys can play on any one team, this problem can be solve with a 2nd XI competition or adding 2 more franchises.

In reply to PalsofMine

I agree. However, I believe that those in charge will stick with him.

In reply to hawk

Understand, but steel sharpen steel. If open competition does not drive the game then we will continue to fall behind. If you are complacent, like many became, then your standards will fall every year. When you know you can walk into a team even when you are not producing then the quality will disappear.

GG and DH knew Best was waiting in the wings for lapses. Same thing with the fast bowlers. You got to let competition dictate selection. Not frienism

In reply to seaegg99

Do you realize that Drakes and Boucher went to Cawmere , played cricket at Cartlon and Wanderers and lived within the city limits.These guys are your name brand.

In reply to PalsofMine

Hodge ?

In reply to allan

Hodge has to fight to retain his place as well. 11 tests with 1 century and 4 half centuries is not so bad (nor is it very good) but the problem with Hodge is that in averaging mid 20s it means that apart from those 5 stand out innings, he has really failed badly in all the rest. So far in this season, he has had one extraordinarily good innings but has completely failed otherwise whereas other men putting up 2-3 good innings already. Why is he guaranteed a spot under those circumstances? We just need to look at every other international team. Does anyone with that kind of record retain his spot unless he is a veteran who has shown that he can bat but is simply going through a slump? Our guys seem to start with a slump and we are still waiting to see what happens.

In reply to PalsofMine

A nice summary of the Hodge situation. He brings positive vibes, enthusiasm, general good "extras" to his game but as a batsman, his inconsistency is a major issue.

In reply to seaegg99

Agreed there should always be healthy competition for places, this keep everybody on their toes. this was the case in the 70s and 80s, so many excellent players did not make the Barbados side. I can't speak to "frienism" It may be present but I don't have facts, What I do know, is that spots must always be made available to returning or discarded West Indies players, should Hope, Chase, Holder or Mayers make themselves available for the Pride 4 players will have to sit McCaskie, Richards, Boucher and Simmonds, with 2nd XI they could drop to that instead of being idle.
Shubman Gill, Virat Kholi and Rohit Sharma return to Ranji Trophy in an effort to get back in form and played straight away

In reply to hawk

Can you name 4 or 5 youngsters setting the Island on fire with their batting and bowling?
I grew up with Holdford, Howard, Robin Bynoe, and Colin Blades that everyone knew would play for Barbados, these players were beating up on all opponents.
I know the week Kevin Wickham scored his ton in his first match, I was interested at the time, because of his last name and where he lived..

In reply to hawk

I understand that vets should be able to but still they would have to be producing. Your example of "Shubman Gill, Virat Kholi and Rohit Sharma" isn't valid because these are all super productive players on the international level. How can Kyle Corbin be on a CCC team but Nimar Bolden or Shian Brathwaite be at home watching.
Thought the goal is to expose young players thru CCC. This goes for the region as a whole with the young players. Happy to see Rivaldo Clarke get a chance also.

Bim does have youngsters just hope they don't get there at 29-30 like Drakes.

In reply to openning

there are no youngsters setting anything on fire, there have been good or stand out performers and performances but I wouldn't go so far to say they setting anything on fire, Wickham is stand out performer, a few others on the CCC and the Academy Roster have had stand out performances

In reply to seaegg99

correction they were super productive, all three going through a lean spell, Rohit had to sit for a test, they were sent back to Ranji Trophy to find form Gill and Rohit have since then recorded hundreds, however i understand Rohit will no longer be selected for test, but I digress that is India's problem I don't usually concern myself with other cricketing nation

Kyle Corbin is not returning from West Indies duty so he doesn't qualify under my point, I surmise he is on CCC's roster to lend some experience this has borne some fruit in that he already has a century under his belt, I Like Nimar Bolden a lot. Tons of potential there and I would like to see him in FC as soon as possible, he is already at the academy, records indicated he made the squad in list A. However, he posted bingo numbers with the bat 7,7,9,32,DNB and did not make the FC squad, I don't know much about Shian Brathwaite, just check his profile, 2 FC games for the Pride a year ago, he is 25 years, the question is who sits for them to play????

In reply to hawk

With respect, that’s not the question.

The question is, and this applies generally to players from Barbados, which team will they play for.

They have 3 official teams they can be assigned to:
Barbados Pride
CCC
WI Academy

That doesn’t even take into consideration assignment to other territorial teams like Greaves with Leewards.

In regional cricket, Barbados cricketers enjoy this privilege on a far greater scale than any other territory. And not just now. This been happening for decades going back to when there used to be a West Indies B team participating in regional FC competition.

In reply to imusic

Please tell why you mentioned that the WIA is a Bim third team,. I understand why you may feel that CCC is a 2nd Bim since it is located in Bim I await your redponse.

In reply to imusic

I am not subscribing to that. Bajan Players aren't guaranteed any spots on CCC and WIA. These are 2 additional teams that any Player from around the region can be assigned to, isn't admission to the academy and UWI open to all territories? Maybe mostly Bajans are selected on that CCC team at this time but this could change next game, Also West Indies teams with mostly Bajans is nothing new.

For decades Barbados has produced the bulk of test players and always had the most spots on West Indies teams, history would show that Bajans always held 4,5,6 spots at a time, it was only in the 1990s that a West Indies team took the field in a test match without a bajan player (thank you Richardson), if West Indies had a track and field team I would expect 95% Jamaicans, that is what they are good at. if west Indies had a football team I would expect 100% Jamaicans and Trinis this is what they are good at also, the West Indies Netball team (when they play) is always have mostly Jamaicans with some Trinis and Bajans Jamaicans are better at netball. but this is cricket and it is what Bajans are good at and known for

Why don't Trinidad push for a second franchise? this way they can expose more players or are they still seeing the Red Force as a national team?

In reply to hawk

I don’t have to post anything more on this topic

You just confirmed every point I made in your round about way.