WI local:New boys 'Ready'

Batsman Shirley Clarke and wicket-keeper Corey Glasgow will have their first bite of cricket at the senior regional level when Barbados face Guyana on January 5 at Kensington Oval.

Both players, who made their first-class debuts against South Africa "A" in August, have been included in the 13-man squad announced yesterday.

Clarke, the Carlton captain, said yesterday he felt "really, really good" to be in the team for the opening match.

"It was something I have dreamed about for a very long time and I think I did enough to merit selection," said Clarke, an opener by upbringing, who has switched to the middle-order.

The 23-year-old Clarke, a former West Indies Under-19 captain who now leads Carlton in the Division 1 competition, said he was inspired by the performances of former West Indies Under-19 teammates, Wavell Hinds, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Chris Gayle and Corey Collymore who have moved on to Test level.

"Seeing the others moving on has really inspired me," said Clarke, who has passed the 500-run mark in Division 1 for the second straight season.

"My batting has been more consistent and more mature and I feel ready. I am looking to go all the way."

Glasgow, a 22-year-old from Wanderers, will be doing the glovework in the absence of Courtney Browne who is in Australia with the West Indies team.

"I'm very happy. Actually, I'm more than happy," Glasgow said. "I put in some hard work, especially on my batting and I would like to thank my team-mates at Wanderers who always gave me the confidence that I could do the job. I have also been practising hard at home-with a ball on a string-and things like that."

The selectors also named six players with West Indies experience.

They include opening batsman Adrian Griffith and fast bowler Collymore, who were on the West Indies summer tour of England this year. Batsmen Philo Wallace, Floyd Reifer and Roland Holder, and allrounder Hendy Bryan complete the group.

The squad, under new captain Ian Bradshaw, also includes West Indies "A" team allrounder Ryan Hinds and the familiar faces of Shawn Armstrong, Dayne Maynard and Dave Marshall.

Full Squad: Ian Bradshaw (captain), Sean Armstrong, Hendy Bryan, Shirley Clarke, Corey Collymore, Corey Glasgow, Adrian Griffith, Ryan Hinds, Roland Holder, Dave Marshall, Dayne Maynard, Floyd Reifer, Philo Wallace; Manager: Tony Howard, Coach: William Bourne; Reserves: Patrick Browne, Callitos Lopez, Patterson Thompson

West Indies "B": Sulieman Benn, Marlon Franklyn, Jason Parris, Kurt Wilkinson.