JAMAICA’S Twenty20 (T20) captain Tamar Lambert is undeterred by talk in some cricket circles that he is not suited for the shortest format of the game and hence should not be included in the national set-up.

The stockily built Lambert, who struck a thunderous 74 in an easy victory against a Jamaica Premier League (JPL) XI in a recent practice match at Manley Horne Park, St Elizabeth, said the best response is to perform on the field.

“People sometimes say stuff, but I don’t worry about what they say because that’s their opinion. I can only prove them wrong by going out there and performing consistently,” he told the Jamaica Observer after the match.

The Jamaica squad, which is preparing for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Twenty20 (T20) tournament to be jointly held in Trinidad & Tobago and St Lucia, starting January 6, took a break for the Christmas holidays and is expected to return to practice today at Up Park Camp.

Though, attractively scything 11 fours and two sixes in his attacking knock off only 46 balls and showing decent form during the local JAM T20

and JPL competitions, the skipper is targeting further consistency ahead of the regional tournament.

“It was a good innings, but I still can improve. I’m a confident person, but I always try to look at my cricket and see where I am lacking. It has been constant work in practice sessions as I get geared up for this Caribbean T20 competition,” the 31-year-old said.

The title-holders of the regional four-day and Super50 competitions, Jamaica have never won a T20 title.

Trinidad & Tobago are the reigning champions.

However, the former national youth player, who has successfully led Jamaica in five straight four-day campaigns, believes confidence will significantly boost the fortunes of the Junior Bennett-coached squad.

“In the practice game we did well as a team and we tried new things, including starting with a spinner in the bowling line-up. There is still room for improvement in the batting and bowling, but our catching and ground fielding has been good. We just have to back ourselves going forward and get our confidence up as much as possible,” Lambert said.

The 14-man squad is without standout batsmen Christopher Gayle and Marlon Samuels, as well as wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh.