Jamaica captain planning to prove critics wrong

Tamar Lambert

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC-Jamaica’s captain Tamar Lambert is planning to prove his critics wrong by performing consistently in the upcoming Caribbean T20 tournament starting next month.

Lambert has been under some pressure here after comments in some cricket circles claim he is not suited for the shortest format of the game and therefore should not have been included in the national set-up.

“People sometimes say stuff, but I don’t worry about what they say because that’s their opinion” Lambert told the Jamaica Observer.
“I can only prove them wrong by going out there and performing consistently”.

Lambert struck a thunderous 74 in an easy victory against a Jamaica Premier League (JPL) XI in a recent practice match as his side continues preparation for the T20 tournament being jointly held in Trinidad & Tobago and St Lucia from January 6.

Tamar Lambert

His knock, which included 11 fours and two sixes scored from only 46 balls, comes on the heels of other impressive innings in local competitions.

“It was a good innings, but I still can improve” said the 31 –year- old cricketer.
“I’m a confident person, but I always try to look at my cricket and see where I am lacking. It has been constant work in practice sessions as I get geared up for this Caribbean T20 competition”.

Jamaica, title-holders of the regional four-day and Super50 competitions, have never won a T20 title.
However, the former national youth player, who has successfully led Jamaica in five straight four-day campaigns, believes confidence could help his men take the title from defending champions Trinidad and Tobago.

“In the practice game we did well as a team and we tried new things, including starting with a spinner in the bowling line-up”, said Lambert.

“There is still room for improvement in the batting and bowling, but our catching and ground fielding has been good. We just have to back ourselves going forward and get our confidence up as much as possible”.

The 14-man squad, without standout batsmen Christopher Gayle and Marlon Samuels, as well as wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh, took a break for the Christmas holidays and was expected to return to practice yesterday.