KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC– Veteran spinner Nikita Miller has been appointed captain of a 14 man Jamaica squad for the start of the WICB Professional Cricket League next weekend.
The left-arm spinner, who has played for West Indies at various levels, replaces Paul Palmer Jr., who has also been left out of the squad for the opening match against defending champions Guyana Jaguars.
Out-of-favour West Indies players, wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr and all-rounder David Bernard Jr.have again been omitted from the squad announced by selectors on Monday.
Baugh Jr. and Bernard Jr. missed several matches last season after a string of poor performances.
Selectors have also excluded former West Indies batsman, Barbadian Kirk Edwards, who after being drafted as a regional overseas player last season, was dropped for the final set of matches due to poor performances.
The squad, which has Antiguan Devon Thomas and young Guyanese opener Trevon Griffith as its mandatory two regional overseas players, features one uncapped player in fast bowling all-rounder, Derval Green.
Green, a former national Under-19 captain, has represented Jamaica in four List-A regional Super50 matches, but is yet to make his four-day debut.
Jamaica, who finished fourth, fifth and third, respectively, in the three seasons staged, will this year be coached by former West Indies opener Robert Samuels, who has replaced longstanding coach, Junior Bennett.
Jamaica Scorpions squad – Nikita Miller (captain), John Campbell, Trevon Griffith, Devon Thomas, Jermaine Blackwood, Brandon King, Shacaya Thomas, Andre McCarthy, Chadwick Walton, Damion Jacobs, Derval Green, Marquino Mindley and Jason Dawes.
