KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC– Captain Tamar Lambert has applauded the efforts of young batsmen Nkrumah Bonner and John Campbell in leading Jamaica to victory over Guyana in their opening match of the Regional Four-Day tournament.
Jamaica defeated Guyana by seven wickets on the fourth and final day Monday at Sabina Park, one of three outright opening round wins.
Bonner led Jamaica’s batting performance in both innings with scores of 62 and 38 while opener Campbell, playing in his maiden first-class fixture, made 50 in the first innings.
“What we have been trying to improve on for a number of years now is our batting. So to see Bonner and Campbell stepping up in this match is a good sign,” said Lambert.
“I think last year, that (batting) was the thing that cost us from not winning the four-day competition, and it is something that we continue to address”.
Lambert, the only senior player among Jamaica’s top five batsmen, said he was impressed with Campbell’s application and Bonner’s batting maturity.
The left-handed Campbell, who recently turned 20, batted for three hours and 39 minutes and faced 158 balls in compiling his first-innings knock, which featured five fours.
Bonner, 25, batted for three hours and 20 minutes, faced 167 balls, and hit two fours in the first innings.
“I think the innings that John Campbell played in the first innings was really good,” Lambert said.
“Playing in his first match at this level, he showed good determination, and is the sort of batting you want to see from your opener. As for Bonner, although he has been playing for two years, I think last year he played all the matches and did not score a half-century”
Jamaica will next play the Leeward Islands in St Kitts, starting tomorrow.
