Islandsun Newspaper - British Virgin Islands

December 13 2003

BVI Cricket officials disappointed Leeward Islands selectors' snub local player

BY DEAN GREENAWAY

President of the BVI Cricket Association Theodore Skeete isn't happy that the Leeward Islands Cricket Association selectors have snubbed versatile athlete Maxford Pipe by not including him among the 24 players invited to trials in Antigua for the upcoming Red Stripe Series. Pipe had centuries against Antigua and Anguilla for the Combined Virgin Islands during this year's Leeward Islands tournament.

As president of the BVICA and vice president of the Leeward Islands Board Skeete said he isn't challenging the choices of selectors. "But, when one looks at the performance of Maxford Pipe in the last Leeward Islands tournament, one is inclined to wonder what went wrong. What has he done?" Skeete lamented. Skeete points out among his two centuries, one came in grand style against tournament champs Antigua. The all rounder also bagged a number of wickets and his fielding was superb, Skeete noted.

"What could be the reason that a good cricketer could not have been selected in a squad of 24? I didn't say 11, but 24. He was a double century maker one against the key team in the tournament Antigua, and could not have gotten the graces of three selectors?" Skeete asked. "We in the Virgin Islands are disappointed. We are annoyed. We are upset. We are totally distraught about it. But, what else can we do?

Because of last year's performance, Brent DeFreitas caught the eye of selectors and Romel Hughes, chairman of Leeward Islands selectors came to watch the Anguilla vs Combined Virgin Islands match eyeing DeFrietas' play. Skeete said they were not disturbed by DeFreitas' omission. "We think that he did not live up to what we expected of him and I'm sure if you ask him he would say the same thing," Skeete said. "But, Maxford Pipe was exceptionally outstanding. The Antiguan officials were all convinced and impressed with the performance of the young man, who could not receive the bow of three selectors to make the 24. What else could he have done? What was he to do further to be considered?" Skeete asked. "We are only hoping that Maxford doesn't allow this to discourage him, but push on. Youth is in his favor and I know he's gong to make it."

Pipe won the Virgin Gorda leg of the College Classic Series Saturday, and was preparing to represent Virgin Gorda in the Virgin Islands Football Association tournament which was rescheduled from Dec. 6-7 to Jan. 17/18. Weekend Cricket course, LICA meeting set The Leeward Islands Cricket Association will hold its board meeting at the Treasure Isle Hotel on Saturday. Representatives are expected from Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, St. Maarten and the U. S. Virgin Islands. New officers will be elected. Meanwhile, the West Indies Cricket Board will conduct a scorers training course on Sunday and Monday at the Treasure Isle Hotel. The course is a part a series organized by the WICB in the region.

BVI Cycling Federation to honor cyclists The BVI Cycling Federation will honor its top cyclists during an awards ceremony at noon on December 21 at Mountain View Restaurant. Elections of officers to the executive committee will also be held as a part of the activities.