CAMPBELLBRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC:
EXPERIENCED ALL-ROUNDER Ryan Hurley and middle order batsman Shawn Graham have been dropped from the beleaguered Barbados cricket team for the fourth round Carib Beer Cup match against Leeward Islands starting at the Kensington Oval today.
They have been replaced by former national under-19 captain Kenroy Williams and seasoned left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, as skipper Sherwin Campbell called on his batsmen to produce more runs collectively to help pull the repeat double crown holders from an unfamiliar cellar position.
At the same time, Leeward Islands captain Sylvester Joseph said he would sustain the pressure on the Barbadians, who have lost their last two matches against Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica following a complete washout against the Windward Islands - all on home turf.
With a mere four points, Barbados are desperate to make up lost ground in what will be the longest ever regional first-class championship comprising ten matches for each team on a home-and-away basis. The Cup champions will then clash with the runners-up for the Challenge Trophy.
FIRST TIME
For the first time this season, the internationally acclaimed Ken-sington Oval, will be the venue after outings at the 3Ws Oval, Crab Hill (Mount Gay North Stars) and Lucas Street (Windward Club).
Psychologically, Barbados have not lost to the Leewards since 1997 when they went under by eight wickets at Kensington. The championship was then also played on a home-and-away basis - the only other occasion - with straight champions, who were Barbados.
But the concern now for Campbell is his team's batting. Totals of 206, 208, 152 and 147 - all batting second - have not gone down well with Campbell, the selectors and an unforgiving local public as feelings have been vented on radio call-in programmes, in bars and on the streets.
"All the batters have to sit down together and try to work things out. We are definitely not batting together as a team and we are definitely not performing on the field," Campbell said.
"When you lose, there is always pressure. Barbados is a team that is accustomed to winning and winning handsomely, so I am not used to being in this position."
Campbell, himself under pressure with just 74 runs at an average of 18.50, reckoned Barbados could not afford another slip at this stage if they were to mount a late challenge for the title again.
"We have to reflect on the last two games and look to move on. We have some serious thinking to do," the former West Indies opening batsman said.
Asked if he felt confident his team could turn around its fortunes, Campbell responded: "We have no choice. We certainly have to turn it around and we have to look forward and move on in this competition. The batsmen definitely have to come to the fore."
BE PATIENT
Campbell also asked fans to be patient.
"The fans are used to winning and I hope they will just bear with us because there are a few inexperienced guys in the team. Just bear with us for a little while until we get things together," he pleaded.
Graham has been one of the leading batsmen in the local First division championship over the past five seasons, but he managed just 29 runs at an average of 7.25 in this year's Carib Beer Cup.
Former West Indies player Hurley, an off-spinning all-rounder, picked up five wickets at 35.80 runs apiece and scored 70 runs at an average of 17.50.
His manner of dismissals angered all and sundry, especially in the second innings of the ten-run defeat against Jamaica when he was bowled by pacer Jerome Taylor, essaying a slog after making 27 off 39 balls.
Williams is a gifted batsman and occasional off-spin bowler, who was one of two century-makers in the Arawak Cement Cup, which has been used for the past three seasons as trials for the national team. It will be his first match for Barbados but he has played six games for West Indies 'B' (under-23).
Benn was surprisingly left out of the original training squad for a one-week camp and then added for the previous round. He has been one of Barbados topbowlers since his debut five years ago and boasts of 105 first-class wickets at 26.07 runs apiece.
Meantime, Joseph told CMC Sports Thursday that the Leewards, on ten points, were gradually improving after a late preparation to the start of the season, in addition to their badly rain-hit third round match against Trinidad & Tobago in Port-of-Spain.
"We are getting into our strides now and we are coming to put the pressure on Barbados. Definitely. They are down so that's even better for us", Joseph said.
"We were off to a late start in terms of preparation and so on and the more we get to play, the more we are coming into our strides.
"I think we are going forward in a good way. We had two good net sessions (at 3Ws Oval) and I hope we can put our heads together and come out victorious in this game."
Joseph said his main concern was the bowling of off-spinner Omari Banks, who has seven wickets at an average of 33.57. Teams:
BARBADOS - Sherwin Campbell (captain), Martin Nurse, Dale Richards, Kurt Wilkinson, Kenroy Williams, Dwayne Smith, Patrick Browne, Sulieman Benn, Ryan Austin, Corey Collymore, Jason Bennett. Reserves: Ryan Nurse, Jason Parris, Antonio Thomas.
LEEWARD ISLANDS (from) - Sylvester Joseph (captain), Shane Jeffers, Stuart Williams, Runako Morton, Tonito Willett, Wilden Cornwall, Ridley Jacobs, Omari Banks, Adam Sanford, Carl Simon, Kerry Jeremy, Ian Tittle, Lionel Baker.
Umpires: Dalton Holder (Barbados), Eddie Nicholls (Guyana). Stand-by: Tunley Franklyn.
