BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Roston Chase is the only uncapped player named in a 13-member Barbados squad for the opening match of the WICB regional first-class championship against Trinidad & Tobago, starting on February 4 at Guaracara Park.
The 18-year-old Chase is one of four members of the national youth team that took part in last year’s TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge that has been included in the squad to be led again by left-handed all-rounder Ryan Hinds.
Kraigg Brathwaite, Shane Dowrich, and Jason Holder, all of whom have made their regional first-class debuts in the last two seasons, have been included in the side, as the national selectors have turn to the youth in a major way.
Chase, a solid batsman, who also bowls off-spin, batted impressively during two recent trial matches, following a steady season for the Barbados Youth side in the Division 1 championship.
The selection panel comprising former national leg-spinner George Linton (chairman), left-arm spinner Winston Reid, and opener Mike Inniss have omitted regulars like all-rounder Dwayne Smith, left-handed batsman Jonathan Carter, as well as West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards.
The selectors have recalled opening batsman Dale Richards. He was sidelined with injury for the Caribbean Twenty20 Championship.
Kyle Hope, the leading batsman in the Division 1 championship, has also been recalled, after being overlooked by the previous selection panel, following the first match of last season.
Shamarh Brooks, the former Young West Indies captain, and recent captain of the West Indies High Performance Centre on their tour of Canada, has also gained the nod.
Barbados finished second in the Championship behind the three-time defending champions Jamaica.
The WICB regional first-class championship will again be contested for the George Headley/Everton Weekes Trophy.
SQUAD – Ryan Hinds, Tino Best, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Pedro Collins, Shane Dowrich, Kirk Edwards, Jason Edwards, Jason Holder, Kyle Hope, Dale Richards, Kevin Stoute.
