The Barbados Cricket Association’s (BCA) refusal to postpone the semi-finals of the Schools Under-19 Competition is said to have angered champions Christ Church Foundation, who will be missing five key players due to national duty.
A well-placed source revealed the school’s displeasure after Foundation’s request to delay Wednesday’s semi-final against Ellerslie by four weeks was rejected.
“I think this is a very reasonable request as we are the defending champions and we are going to be severely handicapped without these five boys, so we’re just asking for a level of consideration,” said a member of school’s under-19 team management, who requested anonymity.
“However, they are saying that the tournament can’t be dragged on because it started in April, but these boys are coming back on the 21st so this tournament can be finished before school even starts back.”
The decision means that Foundation will be without West Indies Under-19 all-rounder Jerome Jones, Aaron Jones, Carlos Maynard, Lee Germon Gaskin and Jofra Archer who have all been selected to play for Barbados in the West Indies Cricket Board’s Under-19 Competition which starts in St Kitts this week.
Foundation are already without Joshua Corbin, who is currently playing with the Barbados Under-15s in Jamaica, and could be set back by a further loss if they manage to reach the final as national volleyballer Darian Field is set to leave the country on July 21.
“That’s seven of our strongest cricketers overseas once we qualify for the final so obviously we would be totally set back,” said the source.
“This is going to be a big challenge for us and we just can’t get any level of sympathy from the BCA.”
Foundation are set to play their semi-final against Ellerslie at the Desmond Haynes Oval on Wednesday ahead of the July 25 final at Kensington Oval. Combermere and Lodge will contest the other semi-final. (JM)
