FOR decades, cricketers born in the Caribbean have represented England and the trend has continued in recent years as three players born in Barbados have switched allegiance to England. How can Cricket West Indies (CWI), the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and other stakeholders encourage the region's talent to play for West Indies?
Jacob Bethell, who has English roots, is the latest cricketer to switch from Barbados to England.
Bethell is the vice-captain of the England Under-19 team for the 2022 International Cricket Council Under-19 World Cup, which will be held in the Caribbean from January 14-February 5.
Bethell, 18, has been living in England for the past few years after being offered a scholarship and is now a member of the Warwickshire Cricket Club, where legendary cricketer Brian Lara played.
Bethell, a former Barbados Under-13 and Under-15 cricketer, was recognised early in his life as an extraordinary talent.
Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer, both grew up playing cricket in Barbados, but are now integral members of the England senior team.
Jordan, 33, is known for his exploits in white-ball cricket since making his debut for England in 2013. He was born in Barbados, but his maternal grandparents are British citizens.
Archer, 26, has quickly become a key member for England in all three formats since making his debut in 2019.
Archer was born in Barbados to an English father.
Barbados has a strong connection with England with the former being dubbed 'Little England.'
President of CWI Ricky Skerritt gave a brief comment to Newsday.
In a WhatsApp message, Skerritt said, 'Teenage cricketers and their families will always be attracted to education systems and coaching facilities where they can both develop their talents and grow their careers.'
Skerritt said an atmosphere must be created to encourage players to stay in the region.
'The challenge is for all stakeholders to do a better job of creating quality learning environments for producing and keeping our future and rising stars.'
When Bethell was about 12 he was invited by Lara to play a charity match in Barataria, Trinidad.
I covered the event and spoke with Bethell's supportive and humble father Graham.
Bethell created a buzz as at that age he was already showing signs that he was a quality batsman.
Several players born in the Caribbean have represented England, especially in the 1980s and 1990s.
Gladstone Small (Barbados), Phillip De Freitas (Dominica), Devon Malcolm (Jamaica) and Chris Lewis (Guyana) were all born in the Caribbean. Small, De Freitas and Malcolm played for England in the 1980s and 1990s and Lewis featured in the 1990s.
Newly re-elected Barbados Cricket Association president Conde Riley said it is challenging to keep all cricketers in the region.
Riley, speaking about the trio of Archer, Jordan and Bethell, said, 'It is one of those things you know you can't stop them if they choose to
