Tough choice

Vasbert Drakes has described it as one of the hardest decisions of his life.

Choosing to join the West Indies team for next week's International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy in Sri Lanka, and turning away from his lucrative contract with South African provincial side Border, was not easy, but as Drakes said: "It was something I had to do.

"Border has been loyal to me for many years, but at the end of the day, which little boy growing up in the Caribbean wouldn't want to play for West Indies," the tall 33-year-old allrounder told NATIONSPORT yesterday.

Drakes was a last-minute replacement for injured Vincentian pacer Cameron Cuffy, who has recovered from damaged knees but was unable to undertake the prescribed rehabilitation programme.

Drakes leaves Barbados today to join the other members of the squad in London en route to Sri Lanka.

"The way I feel about West Indies cricket, and given this golden opportunity, I couldn't turn it down. I notified the club (Border) of my involvement with the West Indies team and they were happy for me, but saddened at the same time that I could not be part of their programme," said Drakes, as he relaxed with Pickwick clubmates at Kensington Oval.

He was named Best Bowler in the Red Stripe Bowl Final Four series as Barbados beat Jamaica by 33 runs on Sunday to clinch the championship.

There was some discussion surrounding his fitness as well. He required a runner in Sunday's final and bowled his ten overs before leaving the field, but Drakes said he was fit and ready to take his place in the team.

"It was a sore groin from the game before and I went off the field as a precaution. I'm a professional sportsman and I can't take any niggles lightly.

"The selectors were watching the game and they made their decision. I was trying to get as much ice and treatment as possible in the last few days and I feel in good shape. All it needs is a bit of rest in the next few days, which I will get and I will be raring to go."

Drakes will have no problems with contractual wranglings when he takes his place in the West Indies team. Under international cricket agreements, clubs are duty-bound to release players who have been selected for international duty.

If Drakes is required for just the One-Day series and not the Test tours of India and Bangladesh, he is expected to resume duties with Border, the side he has successfully represented for the past five seasons. The West Indies team for the Tests in India and Bangladesh later this year is expected to be named today.

However, Border could choose to find a replacement overseas player ahead of the September 20 start of the season, and this could put Drakes out of a job if he is not selected for future West Indies duty.

Drakes said he had discussions with chairman of selectors Sir Viv Richards yesterday and informed him of his availability for the upcoming tournament.

"He assured me he was looking to have me involved in West Indies cricket, but it's really up to me to perform. I was in a situation where I had to make a decision but whether it's playing for Border, West Indies or any county team, it's all about how you perform that keeps you employed."

Drakes has benefited from a change to the West Indies Cricket Board's selection eligibility rule. It will be the first time since he played five limited-overs internationals against Australia and toured England seven years ago that he will be a member of the regional side.

Over the last five years, he has gained considerable experience playing professional cricket in Britain for Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire and Sussex, as well as in South Africa for Border.

Squad to Sri Lanka: Carl Hooper (captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Mervyn Dillon, Vasbert Drakes, Chris Gayle, Ryan Hinds, Wavell Hinds, Ridley Jacobs, Brian Lara, Runako Morton, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Ramnaresh Sarwan.