Walton hopeful of Jamaica selection

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Wicketkeeper batsman Chadwick Walton says he would one day love to represent Jamaica in regional competitions, despite creditable performances with the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) over the past two years.

Walton, who left the island yesterday for Barbados, where he will meet up with other members of the CCC as they gear up for Thursday's start of the inaugural Caribbean Twenty20 Championship, made the statement following his attacking undefeated double century of 201 for Kingston last weekend against St Mary in their Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Super League play-off clash at Elletson Road Police playing field.

Walton, who was recently a member of the West Indies 'A' team for their recent tours of England Bangladesh, hit 15 sixes and 13 fours during his 204-balls innings, which has since raised questions about his development and readiness for national representation.

A good experience

"It has been a good experience playing for CCC as I get the opportunity to play first-class cricket. However, if I had a choice I would want to play for Jamaica," the 25-year-old Walton told The Gleaner.

"However, I am not a selector, and until they see it fit to invite me to trials again, I will just continue to try and do my best for the CCC. My aim is to make runs and perform behind the wickets, and if they select me, they select me," he added.

But according to newly-appointed interim chairman of selectors, Ruddy Williams, the door is not closed on Walton, as they have been monitoring his progress and are pleased with his development, it is just that at this time his main rival, Carlton Baugh Jr, is also performing.

"We don't know what tomorrow will bring, but the door is never closed on anyone," said Williams, who was appointed to the post after the resignation of former chairman, Nehemiah Perry.

"He has in the past been invited to nationals and failed to make the final squad, but has since gone on to represent the CCC, and through the CCC the West Indies Test and One Day International teams. This is a fairly good achievement.

"However, his main rival for the spot, Carlton Baugh, has been performing consistently for the past couple of seasons and has helped Jamaica to win the four-day title for three straight years," he added.

Walton, who was drafted into the West Indies team for last year's Test and One Day International teams against Bangladesh's following the boycott of the series by the leading players, has an average of 23.67 in 30 first-class matches, including six half centuries.

Baugh, 28, has represented the West Indies in five Tests and 30 One Day Internationals and has an average of 36.11 in 74 matches, including 11 centuries and 17 half centuries.

Jamaica, who will depart the island today, are drawn in Zone A of the Twenty20 championship alongside Trinidad and Tobago, the Leeward Islands and Canada.

The CCC have been drawn in Zone B alongside Barbados, Guyana, and the Windward Islands.