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Barbados' participation in the Busta Cricket Series should not be just about winning.

That's the view of team coach Hendy Springer, who said long-term development should be the priority.

His comments came after the team had to settle for the fewer split of the points for their third successive home match which ended in a draw on Monday at Kenasington Oval.

Their hard-fought draw against England A left Barbados in sixth place after four of seven matches and under pressure to win the Busta Cup.

They might stand a better chance of reaching the semifinals of the Busta International Shield which will be determined by the top four teams in the Cup competition.

When Springer was asked by NATIONSPORT which of the two titles was more important, he said neither was.

"Development is more important than either of them," the coach said.

"To win a trophy is always good but after winning trophies, which Barbados have won so often, I still think we have got to look back and assess ourselves and say `what have we done this season? Who has improved as opposed to who has just played'?"

When asked if there had been any significant improvements this season, Springer identified the performances of debutants Ryan Austin and Shirley Clarke, skipper Ian Bradshaw's maiden first-class century and opener Adrian Griffith's good form.

Even though Barbados were three from bottom in the eight-team competition, Springer did not rule out their chances of winning the Cup.

It will call for positive results in the remaining matches against Windward Islands, Leeward Islands and Trinidad and Tobago.

"We've got three games to play and they are very, very important games. We've got to keep going," the coach said.

" Apart from winning and stuff, my personal policy is about development of players and once players are coming through, I think that Barbados cricket will be getting stronger .

"Once those younger players and the old players mix well and both excel at what they are doing, I think we should come through."

One of their most experienced players, Philo Wallace, has been having a lean time which culminated with a double-failure against England "A" that left him with a tournament aggregate of 166 runs (ave. 23.71).

Springer, however, was not concerned about the form of the big opening batsman.

"It is not really worrying to me. I don't know about him," Springer said.

"It is not worrying to me because we know the capabilities he has and we will continue to work hard in the nets because he has to perform this season. I know that and he knows that."

© The Barbados Nation