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National selector Calvin Hope has defended the inclusion of a recuperating Sulieman Benn in the final Barbados cricket trial match at the Windward Ground last weekend.

Benn, who injured his knee at a social event on Independence Day [November 30], was limping on Thursday's opening day when he delivered just six overs and had to leave the field minutes after bowling his first over.

After his short spell on Thursday, he did not take any further part in the match, remaining in the pavilion on the last two days, a suggestion to spectators at the Lucas Street ground that he was still not back to full fitness.

But Hope revealed at a Press conference on Monday that the Barbados Cricket Association's (BCA) board of management had cleared Benn after initially informing the selectors that he was not eligible for selection when they first put him into a counselling programme.

"The board of management of the BCA informed the selectors that Sulieman Benn was ready. That is it. We didn't have to receive the report [on Benn].

"It is the BCA board of management's report," he said.

"As selectors, our business is to find out who is available. We don't necessarily have to review the report on Mr Benn. It is the BCA board of management's decision," added Hope.

"It was the BCA board of management who withdrew an invitation to Sulieman Benn to participate in the preparation for the regional tournament, not the selectors.

"The selectors had a communication regarding Sulieman Benn's fitness status and that informed the selectors that Benn was fit. That was a communication from a medical doctor which led to Sulieman Benn playing [in the final trial match].

"This is nothing to do with the counselling part. This is to do with the injury … but we did ask and we did review whether he was injured or not but that was the information that came forward, so he was selected.

"But it seems as though the rigours of, and you know his type of bowling, his big jump, seemed to have irritated the ligaments," Hope said.

Benn has been named in the West Indies' provisional 30-member squad for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and will be considered for selection to the final squad of 15 by the regional selectors, now that the BCA has readmitted him to their training programme.

© The Barbados Nation