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St. George's, Grenada-It's just after midday and it's a typically, hot Caribbean Saturday afternoon.

There is a gentle breeze, however. It's the perfect time to take a swim in the calm waters that surround the intimate setting of the cricket institute at St. George's University.

But for 16 cricketers, who arrived in the Caribbean two days earlier under the banner of the England "A" team, it was down to immediate business.

They were about to complete a short break after a morning training session and their celebrated captain, of Barbadian parentage, Mark Alleyne took time out to speak with midweeksport.

Alleyne has enjoyed phenomenal success as captain of English county Gloucestershire during the past two seasons in which the Welsh club won five trophies.

During the interview, it became increasingly evident that the focus of his leadership was on the team and not himself.

He was asked what were his expectations on this trip, first as a player and for the team as a whole?

Happy

"If can I just swap the order around bit, as a team we are very happy to be involved in a unique situation of playing in the Busta Cup," was Alleyne's thoughtful response.

"We are here looking to compete and play good cricket."

A few minutes later when he was asked what was the key to Gloucestershire winning the Benson & Hedges and Natwest Trophy in 1999 and 2000, as well the National League last season, he refused to accept the credit for himself.

"You heard me touch on adding value to your game. The guys in our squad looked to add just one per cent or two per cent to their own game," said the son of the late Euclid, and Hyacinth.

"We really performed well as a team, got behind each other and it made us a good unit."

He now seeks to draw on that experience at domestic level to help in shaping a successful national team.

"The last two seasons with Gloucestershire have been very prolific," he said.

"I like the winning feeling and hopefully, I can get this group of guys together and get that same feeling with the England "A" team."

Affectionally known as "Bob Boo", Alleyne was born in Tottenham, London, almost 33 years ago, but he spent 11 years in Barbados where he received his early schooling at Wesley Hall and Harrison College.

The former Tudor Bridge, St. Michael resident is well known for his prolific scoring and wicket-keeping in the then Ronald Tree Cup for Under-15s and leading Harrison College to the title in his final year at that level.

In pursuit of further educational opportunities, he moved back to England at the age of 15 and later became a full-time professional cricketer eventually forcing his way into the senior England team.

His recognition came late and his ten One-Day Internationals since his debut in the 1998-99 World Series Cup in Australia have brought him 151 runs (ave. 21.59) and ten wickets with his medium-pace seamers that developed while he was at Gloucestershire.

Alleyne, however, reckons he deserved an international call-up much earlier.

"In my 20s, I was scoring heavily and playing quite well," he said. "I didn't get the exposure at the time and you would never know whose fault that was, but that's in the past now."

His desire to reach higher heights still remains.

"There is a lot of cricket left in me yet. I'd like to push even further," he said.

"I'd still like to play Test cricket. Obviously, your chances diminish a bit when you get older, but sometimes opportunities can pop up at the most unexpected times."

Not visiting

One regret Alleyne has is not visiting Barbados more often. That's because of his heavy cricket commitments and when he is finished on the field he plans to further the development of his business ventures.

For now, Alleyne is focussing on the challenges he faces in the Caribbean over the next two months, and he sees the England "A" team's participation in the Busta Cup as serving a dual purpose.

"If we can play to our potential, hopefully, we will get into the final and win that, but ultimately we are looking to develop our side," he said.

"Winning the tournament would be a real bonus, although winning is part of your development.

"If we cannot win we can still have a very good tour with four or five guys adding value to their games and push for the senior squad next summer."

Whatever the outcome, no one can deny that Alleyne has made a mark on English cricket.

© The Barbados Nation