KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Three months after being axed for Jamaica’s President’s Cup campaign, Tamar Lambert has resurfaced as captain of an 18-man squad announced Thursday for next month’s regional four-day championship.
The 28-year-old will take charge of a strong side that includes eight players with Test experience, and which will be defending the title the won in a canter earlier this year.
Wavell Hinds, Xavier Marshall, Carlton Baugh, David Bernard jr, Donovan Pagon, Brenton Parchment, Nikita Miller and Daren Powell have all been included in the squad which will be whittled down to 14 prior to the start of the tournament on January 8.
Lambert is a consistent middle order batsman who has developed a reputation for astute leadership and was inspirational in leading Jamaica to their second successive first class title this year.
The right-hander emerged as his side’s leading batsman with 759 runs but though he was named in an 18-man training squad for the President’s Cup in October, he failed to make the final cut.
Chairman of selectors Nehemiah Perry said Lambert’s lack of fitness was to blame for his exclusion.
As expected, Chris Gayle, Brendan Nash and Jerome Taylor who are on duty with the West Indies in Australia have not been included. Fast bowler Taylor is expected home this week after suffering a hip injury in the opening Test at the Gabba.
The squad was named following the conclusion of the third four-day trial match last Monday.
SQUAD – Tamar Lambert (captain), Brenton Parchment, Xavier Marshall, Shawn Findley, Danza Hyatt, Wavell Hinds, Donovan Pagon, Carlton Baugh, Odean Brown, Bevon Brown, Andrew Richardson, Daren Powell, Jason Dawes, Andre Russell, Nikita Miller, Horace Miller, David Bernard jr, Andre Dwyer.
