NATION NEWS

Benn, Richards ready to roll
Published on: 10/5/07.

Stories by PHILIP SPOONER

"WE WANT WORKERS, not shirkers," assistant coach Vasbert Drakes called out.

He was shouting the mantra as the Barbados players had an intense training session at Brandon's Beach yesterday morning.

Two senior players have already stepped up to the plate. Dale Richards, the side's leading batsman, and Sulieman Benn, the No.1 limited-overs bowler on the island, have indicated their readiness to lead the charge towards winning the KFC Cup West Indies One-Day tournament.

With Ryan Hinds taking leave and Floyd Reifer retiring from the national squad, Richards will now carry the batting on his shoulders. With Hinds away, Benn will have to step up in the slow bowling department.

"By now I'm accustomed to the role of being No.1 in the One-Day tournament and I have the responsibility to make sure Barbados do well and advance to the second stage," said Benn, a lanky left-arm spinner and forthright left-handed batsman.

He will be used as the "transition man" in the batting between the middle order and the lower order, and will also bowl in the middle overs.

"I would like to think of myself as that 'transition man'. I have been doing it for Spartan for the entire year and I have not been coming off as I would like but it's something I am getting used to and I'm really enjoying it."

The 31-year-old Richards is a veteran of seven seasons in regional cricket, and is capable of breathtaking stroke play, especially against the new ball.

"I think I have learned a lot in the time I have been in the team and I believe I have done a good job so far. I'm not feeling any real pressure going into the tournament. I see myself as the main opener, but we also have some other batsmen who can do the job. We will have to learn quickly and learn fast but the players are all capable," he said.

The six-foot-seven-inch Benn believes he has a point to prove to the West Indies selectors, who have overlooked him in recent years. He was a member of West Indies "A" team in 2002 and part of the 30-man provisional squad for the 2003 World Cup, but has disappeared from the radar.

"I went down a little bit in the last few years but I believe I'm bowling at my best right now. I still have a part to play in West Indies cricket and I hope to be in the set-up in the future.

"I will assess the situation when I get to Guyana but the aim would be 15 to 20 wickets at about three per over. Coming in at No. 8 or No. 9 I would be looking for 30s or 40s and even some 50s or 60s if I get the time to bat."

Richards performed well for the West Indies "A" team last year and, like Benn, believes he still has a chance of playing at the international level.

"I won't give up. I know I have to come, work hard, put the scores on the board. I will never give up," he said. "I'm looking to do well for Barbados and get those big scores. I will also be looking to help Barbados reach the final so we can get a chance to play at home. From there I will be looking to get into the senior (West Indies) team."

The first round of the KFC Cup will be played in Guyana from October 16 to 22. The semifinals and final will be played under lights at the 3Ws Oval at Cave Hill of the University of the West Indies on October 25, 26 and 28.