Raymond Reifer

For Holder, he former West Indies Test and One-Day captain, it would be his first regional first-class match in four years. The 32-year-old, who is also a former Barbados captain, will be joined by fellow international stars Roach and Raymon Reifer in the Vasbert Drakes-coached 12-man squad led by current Test skipper Kraigg Brathwaite.

Holder’s red-ball career has come under the spotlight in recent times, after he turned down a central retainer from Cricket West Indies, and also opted out of the two-Test tour of Australia, to focus on franchise Twenty20 cricket.

However, he did declare that he had intentions of quitting the longest format, and, as such, should be included in this summer's visit to England for the three-Test series.

Holder’s last regional first class game was against Harpy Eagles at Providence during the 2020 season which was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roach, too, will be turning out in his first regional first-class game in four years, having also last featured in the 2020 season.

The 35-year-old is the fifth highest wicket-taker in Tests for West Indies with 270 scalps and has also taken 523 first class wickets from 162 matches.

Holder and Roach will certainly add impetus to the Pride's bowling attack which comprises Chemar Holder, Jair McAllister and Shaquille Cumberbatch.

Barbados are currently third in the championship standings on 43.8 points, almost two points behind second-placed Leeward Islands Hurricanes (45.6), with unbeaten Windward Islands Volcanoes top with 62.2 points.

SQUAD – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Shaquille Cumberbatch, Shane Dowrich, Chaim Holder, Chemar Holder, Jason Holder, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican, Jonathan Drakes, Shian Brathwaite

The move to insert the batsman so high in the team’s batting line-up has sparked discussion in some arenas and consternation in others, with many questioning the batsman’s suitability for the position.

The batsman is typically known for batting further down the line-up, but during the most recent West Indies Championship made cameos in the position on three occasions.  Batting at three, Reifer had notable scores of 79 and 71 and also scored 74 batting at number 4.  Overall, he scored 345 runs from 5 matches.

“Mentally he is a very strong character but batting at three for Barbados would certainly have propelled this decision and we back him 100 percent,” Brathwaite told members of the media on Thursday.

“We 100 percent believe that Raymond can do the job.  As an opener, the number 3 position is similar to an opener, it’s all about mental strength and we know Raymond has that and we are baking him to do well.  He did well for Barbados at three this year.  The year before he wasn’t at three, but mentally, and in terms of toughness, he is a guy that can get the job done and we back him 100 percent.”

Reifer has had a difficult start to the series against Bangladesh after being dismissed for 11 in the first innings and 2 in the second.

Game 1 - Position 3       23, 45

Game 2 – Position 4      74

Game 3 – Position 6 –   29, 27

Game 4 – Position 3 -    79

Game 5 – Position 3 -   71,