Jamaica target five in a row

Cricketers to chase unprecedented success in next four-day tourney

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's captain Tamar Lambert says maturity and each player understanding their role and responsibility were two of the main ingredients behind their record-equalling fourth successive hold on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day Tournament title.

Speaking shortly after the team's return yesterday, Lambert, who along with other members of the team took turns clutching the championship Headley and Weekes Trophy, also said that that come next season he was looking to guide the team to a record fifth hold on the title.

Barbados, with victories in the then Shell Shield tournament between 1977 and 1980, are the only other territory in the modern era (1966 onwards) to win the tournament four years in a row.

"A couple of the reasons behind our success is that most of the players have matured and now fully know their roles and responsibilities within the team," said Lambert.

"There is also a lot of pride within the team and with the fact that should the team win we would be a part of history, every body gelled together and gave a unified effort.

"I just hope that next year we will be able to play with a similar zeal and passion and make it five in a row," he added.

Jamaica won the tournament after compiling an undefeated record, which included two wins and five draws (four of which they earned first-innings points) in the first round, and a defeat of the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) in the final.

The final, held last weekend and slated for five days, saw the team winning within two days. The CCC batted first and posted 112 in their first innings. Jamaica then replied with 225, with Lambert top scoring with 41.

bringing us joy

The CCC, batting a second time, were bowled out for 122, with spinners Nikita Miller claiming four for 33 and Man-of-the-Match, Odean Brown, four for 54 to go with his first innings tally of three for 34.

"Thank you very much for bringing us joy yet another year," said Paul Campbell, president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), at a brief welcome reception that was held at the Norman Manley International Airport.

"You are the second team in the history of West Indies cricket to win the tournament four years in a row and we're looking forward to you going on to be the first to win five in a row next year."

Campbell added: Your success, it must be pointed out also, is not by chance, but a result of the polices and programmes that have been put in place by the team's coaching and management staff, selectors and the JCA, over the past couple of years."