Lambert back as Four-Day skipper
MIDDLE-order batsman Tamar Lambert was yesterday reappointed captain of Jamaica’s 13-man squad to face Guyana in the opening game of the Regional Four-Day tournament set to bowl off at Sabina Park on Friday.
The 32-year-old, who displayed good all-round performances in the recently concluded NAGICO Super50-Over tournament, was overlooked for the top leadership role, which was given to David Bernard Jr, after West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle was ruled out with an injury. Lambert has led Jamaica to five Regional Four-Day titles from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012, when Barbados broke the streak last season.
Nikita Miller, who will miss this weekend’s game, as well as Damion Jacobs, are set to replace Sheldon Cotterell and Andre Russell for the game against the Leeward Islands on March 7.
Russell and Cotterell will take up duties for the West Indies in the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Odean Brown, who has returned from a knee surgery, practised with the team over the past few days, but was not named in the squad, as he is yet to be cleared by Dr Ashkai Mansingh.
The 32-year-old leg-spinner made his first-class debut against Trinidad & Tobago in 2004, and has played in 62 matches, taking 240 wickets at an average of 22.28.
In their final two-day practice game at Sabina Park yesterday, Bernard’s XI led by a fourth-wicket stand of 138 between Jermaine Blackwood (96) and Nkrumah Bonner (75), posted 332-5. Blackwood’s knock included 11 fours and one six, while Bonner’s innings had four boundaries.
Bernard Jr (33 not out) and Andre Russell (45 not out) were involved in a sixth-wicket partnership of 79 before the team declared. Andrew Richardson led the bowling for Lambert’s XI, taking four for 39, while Damion Jacobs took one for 51.
Lambert’s XI in reply were 20-3 before the game was called off.
