Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer

Captain of Windwards Volcanoes, Liam Sebastien, said despite losing to Jamaica Franchise inside three days earlier this week, he is still of the belief that their selectors got it right in not selecting any overseas players during the recent WICB four-day Professional League player draft.

The inaugural draft, held a month before last weekend's start of the tournament, featured several current and sidelined West Indies players, who for one reason or another were not picked up by their country of birth.

These include experienced fast bowlers Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwards, and Krishmar Santokie, spinner Samuel Badree, and batsman, Danza Hyatt.

"I don't think we made any mistakes in the draft," said Sebastien.

"We decided that we wanted to go for the local players because we believe in them. That's the way we went, and, I am happy with the way we went.

"It is easy to come after a game and say we should have drafted this person, and we should have done that. But I don't see the need for that."

The Windwards, in going down by 13 runs to Jamaica at Sabina Park, were bowled out for an all-too-familiar 110 in their first innings before showing improvements to make 247 in their second.

They also had one player in out-of-favour West Indies opener Devon Smith, scoring a 50, following his top score of 74 in the first innings.

Sebastien, who also cited his team reaching the final of the consolation Headley and Weekes Trophy last season as a reason they decided to stick with home-grown players, also said the chances of signing overseas players on a 'pay-per-play' basis was also minimal.

"Right now, I would say 'no'," he said when asked about the option.

"If you look at it, the game could have gone any way.

It is also our first game of the season.

We have nine more games, so all we have to do is regroup, and come back."

The Windwards was one of four teams who did not select an overseas player during the draft.

The others are Leeward Islands Franchise, Jamaica Franchise and reigning champions Barbados Pride.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force selected Guyanese batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan, while Guyana Jaguars picked Barbadian all-rounder Raymon Reifer.

The Windwards will play away to Guyana at Guyana National Stadium and Jamaica will do likewise against Barbados at Windward Sports Club in the second round of the tournament.

The round's other fixture will see the Leewards hosting Trinidad at Warner Park.