Dexter Basden has always been regarded as a talented cricketer who never wanted to play for his country.

In the past, the 31-year-old Willow Cuts and Somerset Cup Match skipper has been included in national training squads time and time again. But he has never shown any interest in playing at the international level -- either at home or abroad.

Now that appears to have changed at the end of a season which he regards as his best ever.

When Bermuda head for the Red Stripe Bowl in Jamaica tomorrow, nobody will be more excited than Basden who will finally get chance to prove his worth at the international level.

Why has it taken so long? "I just wasn't interested for a while. And then there were times when I was focusing on other commitments and just was not available to play anything but domestic cricket with my club team,'' explained Basden.

For the first time, Basden set some high personal goals this season, and one of them was to establish himself as a regular in the national squad in order to become eligible for the Red Stripe Bowl.

Another was to score 1000 runs.

"Well, as of now I am 38 short of 1000 runs, but I am excited about having been picked for Jamaica,'' he said.

There's no doubt that Basden has enjoyed his best season with the bat -- a season during which he has been able to concentrate on batting after deciding to ease away from bowling his medium pace deliveries.

This year has seen Basden stroke eight half centuries and one century, but still fall short of the 1000-run mark.

"Maybe I can get the remaining 38 runs down there in Jamaica, who knows,'' he said with a grin.

But not everything has gone right for the all-rounder. He lost Cup Match to St. George's and Willow Cuts had only moderate success in the knockout and leagues.

However, he remains philosophical.

"I don't see Cup Match as a setback for me this season. I really felt sorry for the fans, but the way I look at it is that we can come back and win again next year. St George's just wanted victory more than we did.'' In the Red Stripe Bowl, Basden admits he is looking forward to teaming up with the Island's top players.

"After the season I have had, this is icing on the cake for me, and I intend to work hard to enjoy it. We have a good team with people like Roger Blades, Albert Steede, skipper Arnold Manders to lead the way,'' he said.

"It's nice to see a good bowler like Herbie Bascome named to the side, and deservedly so. He bowls a good line and length and will pick up a few wickets.

And with young all-rounders like Lionel Cann and Janeiro Tucker we should do fine.''