JAMAICA’S 14-member cricket squad has been selected to contest the regional under-19 tournament next month in St Lucia.

The defending three-day and limited-overs champions have retained the services of captain Paul Palmer, vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Ramon Senior, Kemar Marshall and Nicholson Gordon.

Also included are former under-15 players Brian Gayle, Michel Francis, Horane Linton, Donovan Nelson and Coi Thompson.

The team is rounded off by three newcomers to the national set- up in Peat Salmon, Vaneil Bromfield and Omar Samuels.

The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) has acquired the services of former Jamaica and West Indies batsman Robert Samuels as head coach, while Fritz Harris is team manager.

The coaching position became vacant when former head coach Andre Coley was named on the training staff at the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre based in Barbados.

The Jamaica team is scheduled to leave for St Lucia on July 6 and expectations are high despite a few glitches in preparations.

Aside from the recent upsurge in violence which forced the Government to implement a limited State of Emergency in sections of the Corporate Area, preparations were dented when fire burnt out a section of Sabina Park where the team was being housed.

Squad — Paul Palmer (capt), Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Ramon Senior, Kemar Marshall, Nicholson Gordon, Brian Gayle, Mickel Francis, Horane Linton, Donovan Nelson, Peat Salmon, Vaneil Bromfield, Omar Samuels, Coi Thompson.