da imperador bet： It is not often that Barbados cricket selectors are praised
Barry Wilkinson17-Oct-2001It is not often that Barbados cricket selectors are praised.Especially from someone who was axed from the national teamwhile he was on a high.But these days, Stanton Proverbs has nothing but admirationfor the men responsible for picking the Barbados team. Andafter he became the first player this season to complete thecricketing double of 50 wickets and 500 runs in the 2001Courts/Suzuki Division 1 competition, the Police captain isinstead bemoaning the attitude of the youngsters.Proverbs has so far yielded 52 wickets from his off-spin and582 runs from his blade in ten matches.Nearing the end of his career for Barbados he produced ascintillating 112 as he led the charge for victory overTrinidad and Tobago, but ever since, he has been aspectator. However, he is far from bitter.The 33-year-old’s maturity and mode suggests that the moreolder you grow, the wiser you get, as he discussed thedifficult role selectors face because of impressiveperformances from senior players in Division 1 cricket,against some patchy periods from the younger brigade.Proverbs says that some young players need to reallychallenge the older ones for a play in the squad. He says itirks him when people cry down the Barbados CricketAssociation (BCA) for not developing cricket, or not doingenough to encourage young people into playing.I think the BCA is doing a lot. They have coaches spread outin the country. Good coaches, like George Linton, ThelstonPayne and those guys working with the youngsters at everylevel. So I think they are doing all they can.The problem to me is that the youngsters don’t seem to bededicated enough to the sport. We can’t blame the selectorsor the BCA, I think they are doing their part. Youngstersneed to understand that they can make a living out ofplaying cricket and once they are involved they have to keepworking at their fitness and continually working at theirgame.Proverbs, who also a superb volleyballer before embarking ona cricket career, has adopted a totally unselfish attitudeto playing cricket again for Barbados. Instead, he wants tobe part of a team that can in anyway help to develop andbuild the character of younger players.The way I see life is that people will give way to you andat times you have to give way to others. It’s never an easyjob for the selectors. I think they are trying to give theyoungsters an opportunity to come through and play for theWest Indies.But at the same time there are looking to give some of theguys who have played for the West Indies a second chance, soyou have to appreciate that it’s a difficult job to get theright mix and the right blend.Regardless of what they do, you have to support them.Whether you are outside or inside the team.There is another thing he remains passionate about on thecricket field. That is, his commitment to Police and thetime he is devoting to continuing his success.After all, 50 wickets and 500 runs don’t come easy.The achievement is one I would say was never beyond me. Forthe last couple of seasons I have been getting 38, 40wickets and scoring over 500 runs. Because of the coveredwickets I’ve had the opportunity to bowl a bit more thisseason.If you think Proverbs has achieved his goal, guess again.When you check the statistics by the end of this year, don’tbe surprised if you see Stanton Proverbs in the 700-runcolumn and 70-wicket club.After all, he’s already ahead of the pack.