NEWLY-elected president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster, has lashed out at Cricket West Indies (CWI) selectors for ignoring left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and wicketkeeper batsman Anthony Bramble for the current home series against the England Lions.

The two were outstanding in both versions in the last regional tournaments and their exclusion from the West Indies-A team set-up did not go down well with the BCB.
“Selection to the West Indies team should be done solely on the basis of performance, fitness and personal discipline and both players (Permaul and Bramble) have ticked each one of the boxes,” Foster stated during the his feature address at a special ceremony where the BCB honoured four outstanding Berbice cricketers last Saturday.

Permaul collected exactly 50 wickets at 18.90 apiece in the 2017-18 Digicel 4-Day Championship. It is the second time that the left-arm spinner has finished with the most wickets in a season.
Bramble effected 45 dismissals, comprising 42 catches and three stumpings, and was the leading wicketkeeper. He also gathered 613 runs at an average of 47.15 with a career-best 196 not out.

“The BCB is disappointed at the omissions. We feel they both deserved a chance,” Foster said.
Meanwhile, during the ceremony, Permaul, Bramble, opening batsman Shimron Hetmyer and fast bowler Romario Shepherd were honoured by the BCB.

Hetmyer was honoured for becoming the county’s 17th Test cricketer. Shepherd of the Tucber Park Cricket Club was honoured for becoming the latest Berbician to gain selection on the West Indies-A team, while Permaul and Bramble, both of the Albion Cricket Club, were honoured for their outstanding performances for Guyana Jaguars.
Foster, in brief remarks, said the BCB is proud of the achievements of the four cricketers, adding that there are outstanding ambassadors of Berbice.

Foster urged the players to continue to display good discipline and commitment.
Each of the four players received a special trophy and a medal from the BCB.
Further, Gladston Hetmyer expressed gratitude to the board for the initiative. The elder Hetmyer is upbeat about the future of Berbice cricket, which he says looks bright with the numerous talents.

Both Bramble and Permaul expressed gratitude to the BCB. Hetmyer is currently with the West Indies senior team in Zimbabwe while Shepherd is in Antigua with the A-team.