Bermuda's initial foray into the Shell/Sandals cricket tournament has resulted in numerous calls for the inclusion of a specialist opening batsman and this week Allen Richardson joined the chorus.

Richardson, who captained St. David's last season before announcing his retirement and -- ironically -- was an opening bat himself, pointed squarely in the direction of Western Stars' right-hander Treadwell Gibbons as the man for the job.

Gibbons was spectacular while performing for the Premier Division champions throughout last season, one marked by his inclusion as a colt in Somerset's winning team for Cup Match in which he tallied 60 in the second innings.

His season aggregate totalled some 980 runs, which was second only to team-mate Albert Steede. Included was a high score of 86, one of five half centuries recorded by the stylish opener.

Yet, as has been the history, when names were drawn Gibbons' was not one of them, something that has privately enraged the 39-year-old.

Firmly in his corner, though, is Richardson, who said that ways should be found to include the opener in the local squad due to travel to Malaysia for the ICC Trophy early next year.

"I feel that right now Treadwell Gibbons has proven himself to be the best limited overs batsman in the Island and everything should be done, all avenues should be exhausted in order to encourage him or have him placed on the team to go to Malaysia,'' said Richardson, a member of the Bermuda outfit which travelled to Kenya for the last ICC tournament.

"After looking at the tournament that they just finished playing in -- and I thought they did extremely well -- there is area for improvement. One, they need to take another allrounder and, two, they definitely need a specialist opening batsman.'' Working against Gibbons is his age, as at 39 some would immediately regard him as a player in decline. But the past season was perhaps Gibbons' best.

Few would dispute the rangy athlete's fine all-round qualities with the bat, as well as in the field and he also proved useful with the ball, often being called on to aid the attack with his medium pace deliveries.

Then there is also the lingering issue of a criminal record, with Gibbons having been convicted five years ago on a marijuana charge for which he served time in prison. He was released just over two years ago, since which he has possessed a clean sheet.

Richardson insisted the player should not have to be continually labelled for past transgressions.

"I don't think age at this time should be a factor, obviously he's the top run getter in the Island right now when it comes to his position and is way up there in terms of aggregate overall,'' he continued. "At present he is the best opening bat that we have, particularly for limited overs, plus he can bowl a little as well.

"I know there may be outside reasons why he hasn't been included, whether it has to do with his criminal record or what, but all avenues should be checked into.

"We have an excellent chance of qualifying for the World Cup -- that's our main aim right now -- and I think we have an excellent chance with the team that we already have. But I also feel it could be strengthened with the addition of Treaddie as an opening bat and possibly one other allrounder, such as Lionel Cann.'' In the absence of Gibbons, Richardson noted Ricky Hill, the Bailey's Bay captain, as another possibility while Dexter Smith was also mentioned.

Clay Smith demonstrated that he has the temperament to open in limited overs, but the experiment with Glenn Smith never materialised because of injury and Bermuda captain Albert Steede failed repeatedly at the top of the order.

The consensus remains to drop Steede down to number three, while Glenn Smith last week stated his desire to drop deeper into the middle order.

"Glenn's too valuable a wicket to be lost early in the innings, I still don't feel he has the right temperament to be an opening bat,'' said Richardson, adding that it was not necessary for Bermuda to pattern themselves after Sri Lanka in trying to dominate the bowling early.

"Let's face it, a team like Sri Lanka, they are professionals and have a professional attitude about it, but I don't think we need to do that for the competitions that we are in.

"I still feel that we can get a good score without banging away from the start and I think we stand a good chance of beating most teams in the ICC competition.'' Bermuda Cricket Board of Control are expected to officially release the names of a 25 member training squad soon, although several players are known to have already been contacted.

TREADWELL GIBBONS -- impressive last season.