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Blessed be the name of the Lord!

That's the cry of Barbados' fastest bowler, Tino Best, who has overcome injury and gained a place in the national squad for the upcoming Busta Cup regional first-class championship.

The 20-year-old pacer suffered in pain and was sidelined with injury throughout the Courts/Suzuki Division 1 championship, which limited his appearances for the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Sports Programme.

But he said his strong will to succeed and belief in the Almighty had helped him to regain fitness, the inspiration to do well and evidently, restore the confidence in the national selectors that he was ready for business.

I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ, my personal Saviour, for giving me the opportunity, he told SUNSPORT after hearing he was selected in the 16-man squad.

My goal at the beginning of the season was always to play for Barbados this year.

I felt a bit down on sustaining my injury, but I prayed and after my injury during the season I said I would not let that get me down.

I just kept training by doing a lot of running on the road and stuff and I think it paid off. I am glad that the selectors had faith enough in me to pick me and I feel really proud of myself.

Best, a cousin of former Barbados and West Indies batsman Carlisle Best and a former Garrison Secondary student, was not only spotted during the 2001 season by the national selectors. He also made a good impression on South African captain Shaun Pollock and former England batsmen Ed Giddins.

They were impressed with his raw pace and encouraged him to train for ultimate fitness and try and play first-class cricket.

But his best mentor has been his BDF Sports Programme and Barbados coach, Hendy Springer.

'Springs' always said to me: `Never give up.' Springs is one man who has the guys' interest at heart and he helped me a lot with my fitness and bowling.

Best's aim, once selected in the final XI, is to serve his country with honour.

He said he knows he has raw pace, but he would concentrate on line and length.

Another newcomer, Dwayne Smith, one of Barbados most exciting batsmen and fielders, is looking forward to playing this season.

The 18-year-old said he was elated when given the call.

I was a bit surprised because at first I was hearing that I was going to make the West Indies `B' team. But when I heard it, all I could do is jump up and I am happy, he said yesterday.

Smith, also a former Garrison student, gave thanks to coach Roddy Estwick.

I was hitting the ball in the air too regularly when I first started out and he really helped me to be more focused, he said.

I am looking forward to doing my best and, hopefully if I perform well, then move onto the West Indies team.

Barbados' first match in the Busta Cup is on January 25 against Guyana at Kensington Oval.

© The Barbados Nation