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He has failed to take a single wicket in any of Barbados' four preliminary matches. He has a disciplinary charge still hanging over his head. But Vasbert Drakes has earned high praise from the hierarchy of the team for his immense overall contribution in the Red Stripe Bowl.

The experienced all-rounder, on his first appearance for Barbados in four years, went through the preliminaries against University of the West Indies, Leewards XI, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica without dismissing a single batsman.

But his economy rate was a reasonable 4.04 runs an over (125 runs off 31 overs) the best among the Barbadian fast bowlers and second in the team to left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn (3.45).

Team coach Hendy Springer said it wasn't too much of a concern that the 32-year-old Drakes did not have anything to show in the right-hand column.

Vassie is a guy that takes his cricket seriously. I am sure that he thinks the best way to stop the flow of runs is to get wickets, Springer said.

He's been trying his best. He's bowled some very good deliveries and he's not been successful. Let's hope that he will be in the next two games.

Captain Courtney Browne said it was fine with him once any bowler could contain batsmen in the shorter form of the game.

He [Drakes] hasn't been getting any wickets, but he's very economical. He has been bowling second change and he's been coming in and doing a good job, Browne said. When you could get a guy coming in and bowling nine overs for 30-odd runs, minus the wickets, you don't mind.

Drakes' influence also stretches beyond the boundary.

He has a lot to say in the team meetings. He is the guy who leads us in training, physical training and he has played a very big part so far in the tournament, Browne said about the fast bowling all-rounder who has played professionally in South Africa with Border for the last eight seasons.

Springer added: His presence has motivated the squad both on the field and off the field, as far team meetings and general motivation is concerned.

As a late-order batsman, Drakes has also been effective with big-hitting. His three innings have produced scores of 22 not out off nine balls; 21 off eight balls and 26 off 15 balls.

Drakes, however, was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching two clauses of the code of conduct during Barbados' final preliminary match against Jamaica at Sabina Park last Saturday, but plans to make a formal appeal.

© The Barbados Nation