Jamaica cricket selectors on Thursday released the 13-member squad that will represent Jamaica in the second phase of the West Indies Cricket Board’s 2010 four-day competition.

The defending champions are seeking their third straight hold on the title, and though the team has been weakened by the absence of a number of senior players for various reasons, they are strongly tipped to again come out on top.

They presently lead the standings with 36 points from three matches, while Barbados are on 33 from four. Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), who Jamaica face in the next round of matches starting February 12 in Guyana, are third on 24 from four.

Captain Tamar Lambert remains as captain and is expected to carry the burden of the middle order batting, while Brentan Parchment, Danza Hyatt, Donovan Pagon, Shawn Findlay and David Bernard Jr have all been below par with the bat and will look to finish this 2010 season with a bang.

Fastbowler Andrew Richardson will be eyeing his second opportunity to shine this season, while promising young pacer Jason Dawes is also included. All-rounders Andre Russell and Bevon Brown, who both missed out on a place in the squad for the first game against the Windward Islands on home soil due to suspension, have been drafted as well.

Wicketkeeper batsman Carlton Baugh Jr, who has had an encouraging start to the campaign holds his place along with legspinner Odean Brown. Right handed former Under- batsman Nkrumah Bonner makes his way into the team to round out the 13.

Noticeable absentees are Nikita Miller, Brendan Nash and Wavell Hinds, who are all on West Indies duty. Daren Powell withdrew from the team for this season for what chairman of selectors Nehemiah Perry described as personal reasons, while talented right-handed batsman Xavier Marshall is again left out after performing dismally in the first two matches.

Technical director of the team, James Adams, said he was happy with the selection. “I don’t have an issue with the balance. We have a full compliment of batsmen, a couple of all-rounders, three fast bowlers and two frontline spinners, so I guess I’m fairly happy with the selections,” he said.

The former West Indies captain added that Bonner’s inclusion was a positive move and noted that the absence of Hinds and Nash should be incentive enough for the batsmen to lift their game.

“He (Bonner) has been in the Jamaica programme for a couple of years now. I think he’s an exciting young talent and hopefully this will be a stepping stone for him. With Wavell and Nash not around for the next three games, I think it’s an opportunity for the other batsmen to put their hands up and be counted,” he said.

Squad — Tamar Lambert (captain), Brenton Parchment, Danza Hyatt, Donovan Pagon, David Bernard Jr, Carlton Baugh Jr, Odean Brown, Andrew Richardson, Shawn Findlay, Andre Russell, Nkrumah Bonner, Bevon Brown and Jason Dawes.