Cottrell dropped
JAMAICA Scorpions have made three changes — including the omission of West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell — to the 13-man squad set to face Barbados Pride in the Professional Cricket League (PCL) match at Sabina Park, starting tomorrow.
Cottrell, the 26-year-old left-armer, has played two Tests and 34 first-class matches. He took five wickets in the first innings of the home match against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in December.
In three matches since, he has failed to take more than one wicket in an innings. That recent dry spell is believed to be the reason he has been overlooked by the Wavell Hinds-chaired selection committee.
Hinds could not be reached for comment yesterday.
West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood is out due to injury. The attacking player has not recovered in time after dislocating his right shoulder while fielding on Sunday’s third day of the match against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at the Sabina venue.
He took no further part in the match. The Jamaica Observer understands that up to yesterday Blackwood was unable to move his right arm freely.
His teammate Andre McCarthy, who was also injured on Sunday in the Red Force clash, has recovered sufficiently and is available. McCarthy sustained a painful blow to the ribcage area while fielding close to the bat.
Out-of-form fast bowler Marquino Mindley has also been left out of the squad.
Pacer Jason Dawes, left-arm seamer Gavon Brown and left-hand batsman Trevon Griffith are the replacements.
Four changes were made to the Scorpions squad that took on Trinidad & Tobago Red Force last weekend. Then Captain Paul Palmer, who was struggling with the bat, was among those dropped for the Red Force clash.
The Scorpions are third in the six-team points table with 60, while the Pride are second with 90.
Guyana Jaguars are on course to retain their title with a league-leading 107 points, while the Red Force are fourth with 56 and Windward Islands Volcanoes are fifth with 41. Leeward Islands Hurricanes are last with 36 points.
Squads: Scorpions — John Campbell (captain), Shacaya Thomas, Kirk Edwards, Andre McCarthy, Devon Thomas, Brandon King, Chadwick Walton, Nikita Miller, Damion Jacobs, Nicholson Gordon, Jason Dawes, Gavon Brown and Trevon Griffith.
Pride— Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Kyle Corbin, Miguel Cummings, Shane Dowrich, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Omar Phillips, Kevin Stoute, Hayden Walsh, Jomel Warrican.