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For the first time, the West Indies regional cricket competition - the Busta Cricket Series - includes an international team - England A. In this week's column the team's manager and captain share some of their experience thus far as they enter the third round against Barbados.

James Whitaker - manager

"It's a joy and a privilege to be part of what is a unique situation - playing in the Busta Cricket Series.

"I believe it's a strong, positive message from the West Indies Cricket Board that they want to try and create new initiatives to see where they are in their domestic cricket and how best they can instigate improvement and we, as a team, feel honoured to be part of this experiment. It's the first time it has ever been done.

"We are coming out of winter and all of our guys only had limited practice before we got here but I think we have adjusted well and our guys have hit some form. All 16 players on the tour have so far contributed to the team's ethic, work rate and performance.

"We are already learning on this tour. We brought over eight internationals, four 'A' team players and four newcomers so we have a good balance of experience and youth and we are enjoying travelling around the Caribbean and playing as much varied cricket as possible.

"Our overall objective coming down here is to play as competitively as possible, representing the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) and ultimately win the Busta International Shield. Players will have their individual goals because some of them will be pushing for an international place in the next 12 to 18 months. We are getting to the stage now where it's a good challenge among our guys to get into the team in this competition.

"We have come across some good standard cricket, some good spinners. We've been impressed with Carl Hooper and Ramnaresh Sarwan from Guyana and (Dinanath) Ramnarine and (Rajindra) Dhanraj, the leg-spinners from Trinidad and (Tonito) Willett in the West Indies "B" side.

"I like the idea of a junior West Indies team because it gives these youngsters, who are almost in their island team, an early introduction to first-class cricket. Provided the infrastructure can support it, I think this is a great initiative and it should keep going.

"I must say we have been well entertained in the Caribbean. First, by the Grenada Cricket Association and Mr. Walter St. John and also Dr. Rudi Webster at St. George's University. He and his ground staff provided some fantastic practice facilities. We have definitely been royally looked after in Grenada, then in Trinidad and now in Barbados. So far everything has been great."

Mark Alleyne - captain

"So far, the wickets have been the main problem. They are a bit slow and not conducive to good, exciting cricket. I am surprised I haven't seen many pace bowlers in the three matches we have already played. The spinners have dominated and that's not usual in the Caribbean.

"Generally, I am enjoying the trip and we are playing good cricket. We are on target with our objectives though we didn't have adequate match practice before coming over here.

"Since the competition started we have got stronger and stronger and we are just looking to increase that momentum for these next four rounds.

"I love the idea of international participation in the Busta Cricket Series.

"I must admit I had my reservations like probably everyone else when it was first announced but, looking at it now, it's a good idea for both the host nations and the team visiting to get a taste of opponents they would not normally face.

"This tour will only further our players' education and I really hope this experiment works well in this tournament and that we can set a standard that other overseas teams will come and try to match."

© The Barbados Nation