Gayle, Russell available for selection

Sanjay Myers

Saturday, January 28, 2012

SIDE-LINED West Indies opener Chris Gayle and fast bowling allrounder Andre Russell have made themselves available for selection for Jamaica's team to face Windward Islands in the opening round of matches in the regional four-day tournament, set to start February 3.

Chairman of selectors Courtney Daley told the Observer yesterday that the pair, who have both landed contracts to play in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), are available and will be considered for selection.

"Chris is available and so is Russell for our first game next Friday at Sabina Park. They will be considered when the 13-man squad is decided on," Daley said.

The Observer understands that while Russell and Gayle are available, batsman Marlon Samuels and injuryprone fast bowling ace Jerome Taylor were not considered.

Samuels and Taylor are also contracted to play in the BPL.

The Jamaica squad was expected to be announced last evening but Daley explained that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has allowed the local association more time since it is a home fixture and no flight travel arrangements are needed.

Meanwhile, stylish middle-order batsman Tamar Lambert slammed 112 on the third day of the first and only trial match in the team's preparation as his XI were dismissed for 314 all out in reply to David Bernard Jnr's XI 448 at the Kensington Park.

Scores: Bernard's XI 448 all out; Lambert's XI 314 all out.

The stockily built Lambert canned nine fours and five sixes off 200 deliveries and shared in a second wicket stand of 137 with left-handed opener Simon Jackson, who made a solid 80. Horace Miller chipped in with 31.

Off-spinner Jamie Merchant took 6-59 off 37 fruitful overs.

Bernard's XI total of 448 over the opening two days were built around attacking centuries from Brendan Nash and Russell, respectively.

The fourth and final day's play is scheduled to commence at 10:00 this morning.