West?Indies batting stalwart Desmond Haynes plans to establish a foundation that will provide college scholarships to young cricketers in England and Australia.
In an exclusive interview with the WEEKEND?NATION, the former Test opener said if all hopes well, he will set up the Desmond Haynes Foundation next year.
Haynes, who played 116 Tests, more than any other Barbadian, said that there will be an educational component to the scholarships as well as cricketing.
“It is early days yet but once the foundation is established, my plan is to take at least one young cricketer off to England and in the future one to Australia as well.
“I got help as a young man and I want to give back to youngsters in Barbados. I was never a selfish person and this is my way of trying to contribute. I am going to be heading to England next month and I want colleges out there to buy into my idea and my plan,” he said.
Haynes said it was important the BCA and Cricket Legends of Barbados forged greater ties for the development of the game.
It is understood that since 2009 proposals have been made by the Legends to the BCA to work with the preparation of teams and youth programmes.
Haynes, 58, thinks that outstanding retired players are not fully utilised by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
“There is clearly a need to use the stalwarts of the game, they have a role in the development of our players. Why are we continuing to look outside for our expertise.
“We have the personnel right here in the Caribbean that can take our crikcet forward. Sir Viv and others can help. We need to get some of our former top cricketers on board,” he said.
Confident that the West Indies should do well in the forthcoming home series against New Zealand, Haynes said that he would like to see hard-hitting Trinidadian batsman Kieron Pollard fill the critical number six batting slot.
“I think he has the temperament to play Test cricket. I think the forthcoming series is the right time for Pollard to show his worth. He is a good enough player to be given the chance,” Haynes said.
Pollard, who turned 27 two weeks ago, has a first-class average of 38 with four hundreds.
“When I look at some of the players in recent times who have been chosen to bat at number six, his average is better than some of them. He is a solid player who can contribute. I think he would be an asset to new skipper Denesh Ramdin and the team as a whole,” Haynes said.
“We worked closely together for the Barbados Tridents last year in the CPL, and I like what I saw as a batsman and a leader.
“I can understand if Dwayne Bravo is first in their minds for the number six slot if they are looking for an allrounder or even Carlos Brathwaite. It is bound to be interesting,” he added.
