The job of selectors is a thankless one. Cricket fans, especially, are always quick to condemn them and before the 1998 Red Stripe Bowl is over, Messrs Basil Williams, Ruddy Williams and Linden Wright may well be the target of criticism.

Right now, however, they deserve high praise for the 14-man squad which they have selected for the regional limited-over competition especially for the inclusion of batsmen Raymond Ferguson and Howard Harris.

Looking back on Jamaica's cricket over the years, neither Ferguson nor Harris, as far as either one's potential is concerned, can be compared with the likes, of a Maurice Foster, a Lawrence Rowe or a Jeffrey Dujon when first they were selected to represent Jamaica and when it comes to scoring runs and performing well in the field, only time will tell if either one is good enough to wear the national cap.

There is no question, however, that Ferguson and Harris deserve the opportunity to test their skills at the higher level and that by affording them that opportunity, the selectors have done something which could breathe new life into Jamaica's cricket.

For a number of years now, Jamaica's cricket, especially its batting, has bordered on the mediocre, and for many reasons, it has been the fault of selectors who, committee after committee, based their selection on age, on what in many instances they misread as talent and in the process committed the cardinal sin of not selecting the best players.

There should always be a place for young players - once they are good enough and mature enough. The emphasis on youth, however, especially those coming right out of youth cricket and the neglect of players

25 and older regardless of their performances in local competitions stifled the development of the game.

In selecting Ferguson and Harris, one at 29 and one at 28, to represent Jamaica for the first time after good performances in local competitions, this new panel of selectors is telling all the cricketers of Jamaica, perform and you will be rewarded.

Ferguson and Harris are exciting players on the go, and if they get going, they could thrill the fans and power Jamaica to victory in Red Stripe Bowl '98. Even if they do not, their selection augurs well for the future of the country's cricket.

There will be a lot of fans cheering for them and wishing them well, and many players who will now believe they too have a chance.