Kingston, Jamaica – Enterprising opener Horace Miller has expressed pleasure at being one of five players drafted by Jamaica’s franchise for the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board Four-day Tournament season, which commences next month.
The 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was selected as Jamaica’s third-overall pick in the draft behind batsmen, André McCarthy and Shacaya Thomas.
West Indies Under-19 batsman Brandon King, and fast bowler Brian Buchanan were selected subsequently as the other draftees.
“I would not say that I was surprised that I made the draft, as though I did not make many big scores last season, I got starts. It’s just for me now to build on these starts,” said Miller.
“It feels good to know that I have been drafted, as I am now in a position to earn an income on a steady level, while at the same time getting the opportunity to further improve my game.”
A former standout for the West Indies and Jamaica at the Under-19 youth level, Miller has not been able to make the transition to the senior level with averages of 16.26 from nine first-class showings and 18.71 from seven regional one-day encounters.
This season, however, with greater opportunities expected as a result of an extended home-and-away first-class season Miller said he is hoping to correct that.
“I have been working hard on trying to improve on making better use of my starts, both in the Senior Cup and 50-overs tournaments,” he said.
“If you look at my performances over the years, you could see that that is the problem. I want this to improve so that if the opportunity presents itself again to play at the first-class level, I will be able to keep my spot in the team,” he added.
Jamaica’s franchise squad of 15 contracted players is completed by Jermaine Blackwood, Sheldon Cottrell and Nikita Miller, along with Carlton Baugh Jr, Dave Bernard Jr, Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Jason Dawes, Damion Jacobs, and Tamar Lambert.
Jamaica is set to bowl off their campaign on November 14 with a home fixture against Windward Islands Volcanoes at Sabina Park. (Jamaica Star/WICB)
