Manchester cricket coach Barry Barnes is fuming over the non-selection of former national youth player Jamie Merchant for the senior Jamaica squad to the October 19-29 Regional Super50 Tournament in Guyana.

The right-handed middle-order batsman, who bowls genuine off-spin, has consistently turned in decent performances in the local club competitions, but found himself as a reserve player for the 14-man squad.

During the national trials, Merchant took five wickets in an innings and scored a useful 30-odd in one match and Barnes believes the former Manchester High student deserved a call-up.

“I think he has done well enough over the last year as a good all-rounder. He did extremely swell in the two-day (club) competition. He went to the recent 50-overs trials and did creditably well and based on that he has shown that he can contribute. I’m disgruntled that he was not named in the final 14-man squad.

“As far as I’m concerned the policy of selection is not where it should be. I think players should be picked based on current performances and not just on past performances,” he told the Observer recently.

Added Barnes: “These youngsters need to be given a chance. It is also strange that Manchester has done well over the years and yet we don’t often have players on the national team.”

Barnes, a long time coach of the parish team, has overseen Manchester’s strong showing on the club circuit in recent years, including winning three straight two-day titles.

The parish, however, was unable to match the financial demands of the current 50-overs club competition and had to withdraw before the start. This led to the 22-year-old Merchant being temporarily loaned to St Catherine-based quarter-finalists GC Foster College.

Chairman of selectors Courtney Daley said Merchant’s non-inclusion was unfortunate, but added that plans are in the pipeline for the talented all-rounder.

“It is unfortunate he was left out and I figure people will have their opinions. I suppose everybody would want their players to secure a place and he was close, but he never made the cut this time. We still have plans for Jamie and it is just a pity he missed out.

“He did a good job but with any selection there will always be question marks. We felt he needed to do just that little bit more (to warrant a place),” he said.

Aside from Daley, the selection panel consisted of former West Indies left-handed batsman and current Jamaica Under-19 coach Robert Samuels and former national opener Delroy Morgan.