Barbados’ top cricketers were applauded and rewarded on Wednesday night.
In a ceremony held by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) in the President’s Suite in the 3Ws Stand at Kensington Oval, the top toast was given to Kirk Edwards who was recognized for joining an elite group of 14 West Indians who have scored a century on their Test debut.
Also rewarded was Dwayne Smith who was the last West Indian and Barbadian to achieve that feat.
Smith has regained favour with the West Indies selectors and is to be part of the Twenty20 team heading to England.
Senior captain Ryan Hinds was recognised for his part in leading Barbados to a joint title in the WICB Regional Super 50.
Also recognised was pacer Fidel Edwards who took 19 wickets in the 2011 Test series against India.
Youngster Chad Williams was all smiles for being honoured for his tournament-high 23 wickets in the Regional Under-15 Tournament.
Every member of the successful Under-19 and the senior teams as well as coaches and management were recognised.
Accolades were given to Deandra Dottin, Shaquana Quintyne, Kycia Knight and Shakera Selman for gaining selection to the West Indies women’s team, and to Danielle Small, Kyshona Knight, Dawn-Marie Layne, Keila Elliot and Shamelia Connell for making the Windies women’s “A” team.
First vice-president and chairman of cricket development of the BCA, Conde Riley, said that the BCA had set several goals and they were pausing to assess the status of those goals as well as the performance of the parties involved in achieving the goals.
“The bold initiatives set out by the BCA within the past five years have been rewarded with the obvious development of our young cricketers,” he said.
Such sentiments would have matched those of president Joel Garner who outlined the planning which the BCA put into local cricket.
He expressed pride in the players “who take advantage of the opportunities provided . . . those players who have put [in] the hard work, demonstrated commitment and fought through the tough times to achieve personal and team success”.
“We must continue to set goals and we must celebrate the achievement of those goals,” Garner added.
“The path that will take us back to the top of regional cricket will be marked by those successes.”
