Lambert axed from T20 squad

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

The Gleaner has been reliably informed that former captain Tamar Lambert and opening batsman Brenton Parchment were yesterday left out of Jamaica's 14-man squad for next month's second annual Caribbean Twenty20 Tournament, which will be staged jointly by Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda.

Wavell Hinds will captain the team.

The committee, which is headed by veteran selector Ruddy Williams and includes recently reappointed technical director Jimmy Adams, also made the surprise pick of including Jamaica Defence Force's 22-year-old left-arm pacer Sheldon Cotterel in the squad, which was chosen following yesterday's third and final trial match at Chedwin Park.

The squad also sees the return of middle-order batsman Brendan Nash who, along with West Indies teammates wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr, all-rounder Andre Russell and spinner Nikita Miller, are expected to form the backbone of the squad in the absence of former captain Chris Gayle.

Gayle will be in Australia representing Western Australia in their domestic Big Bash Twenty20 Championship during the staging of the tournament.

Also named in the squad is stylish batsman Marlon Samuels, who had a below-par tournament last season, but yesterday showed that he still has what it takes with a blistering 72 not out, including five sixes and three fours, and fast bowler Jerome Taylor who, prior to picking up a thigh injury in the first trial, looked like his old self.

The 29-year-old Lambert, who was controversially appointed captain ahead of then West Indies captain Chris Gayle ahead of last season's staging of the tournament, it is understood, missed out following a dismal showing in the tournament last season and poor record in the game's shortest version.

His renowned weight problem which, it is understood, has not gone down well with the team's new management, was also cited as another factor which went against him, as it was in the selectors' opinion that this affects his ability to effectively contribute to the team, especially in high-intensity situations.

Miserable tournament

Lambert has an average of 4.66 in eight Twenty20 appearances, at a strike rate of 50.00, with his highest score being 11.

The 28-year-old Parchment, who also had a miserable tournament last season and was suffering his second drop after being left off the regional 50-over squad in October, has an average of 9.40 from five matches, with a highest score 22.

Cotterel who, unlike most of the squad members, graduated through the national youth ranks, gains his first call-up after two impressive seasons with the soldiers, in which he grabbed the attention of most observers with his pace and swing.

Meanwhile, there continues to be no place for 29-year-old pacer Andrew Richardson who, despite finishing as the top bowler during the trials, could only manage to hold on to a reserve place, along with young batting all-rounder, Nkrumah Bonner.

Richardson was named as cover for Taylor, should he not be fit enough to take part in the tournament, while Bonner has been named as a backup in case Danza Hyatt does not recover from a broken finger sustained in the second trial match.

Meanwhile, Samuels was the star of the show during yesterday's match.

Showing the batting brilliance for which he is known - much to the joy of some of his fans who were on hand - Samuels used his feet to much effect, dancing about to hit his half-century.

However, it was not enough to prevent his team, Hinds XI, from going down to David Bernard Jr XI by 22 runs.

Batting first, Bernard Jr XI was dismissed for 95 off their allotted 20 overs. However, in a bid to provide Hinds' XI adequate batting practice, the target was increased to 143.

Richardson led the way for Hinds XI with figures of 3-7, while young St Thomas pacer, Brian Buchanan, claimed 3-17. Lambert, with 38 from 55 balls, topscored for Bernard Jr XI.

Hinds XI, in their reply, could only manage 122 off their allotment of overs.

Brown led the way for Bernard Jr XI, with 2-28 off his four overs.

Squad: Wavell Hinds (captain), Danza Hyatt, Xavier Marshall, Marlon Samuels, Shawn Findlay, Horace Miller, Carlton Baugh, Odean Brown, Nikita Miller, Sheldon Cotterel, Jerome Taylor, David Bernard Jr, Krishar Santokie, Andre Russell.