Three of Barbados’ young cricketing talents left for a five-month stint in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday with the burning desire to improve their game to get into the Barbados team as well as to jumpstart their mission to become professionals.
Pace bowler Rashid O’neal and Antonio Greenidge of Barbados Defence Force Sport Programme as well as Kirk Thompson of Yorkshire headed to three separate clubs where they will arrive tomorrow and began playing in the league from Friday. Â
O’neal, 22,who has already turned out for Barbados, will be playing for Mount Albert Cricket Club, the defending champions.
Thompson, 19, heads to Box Hill CC while Greenidge, 23, on his first overseas trip, will be playing for Buckley Ridge CC. Both clubs are one level below county in Australia.
The trio expressed gratitude towards agent Dominic Hill who organised their stint.
Hill said that Australia recognised the talent of Barbados and the West Indies cricketers around the Under-19 level and although it was easier to get players from Britain the clubs jumped at the opportunity to get the three players from Barbados.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our young players and I have impressed upon this trio the importance of doing well and holding the door open for other talents from Barbados to advance as well,” said Hill.
As well as training in the mental and physical aspects of cricket, the three will get the chance to train at the Melbourne Academy Centre of Excellence for two hours every day.
“I feel great about this opportunity and I intend to work on all aspects of my game so that when I return to the island in three months I can help Yorkshire to reach the Elite Division and that I can also get the Barbados selectors to notice me,” said Thompson.
O’neal said that since he suffered an accident in 2007 he had lost a lot of his form and speed and he hoped to regain such in Melbourne. Â
Greenidge, 23, who scored his first division one century for Empire, said he would be focussing on tightening up on his batting. (KB)
