Chairman of selectors Delroy Morgan is hopeful that Jamaica Scorpions cricketer Javelle Glenn can pick up from where he left off at the back end of last year to power the team’s batting in the regional first-class tournament.

The Scorpions are set to open their season away to Windward Islands Volcanoes at Arnos Vale in St Vincent and the Grenadines on January 29, before a short trip to Antigua to face Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in the second round which begins on February 5.

Glenn, 26, was one of the stand out performers in the Scorpions’ run to the final of the 2024 Super50 Cup. The middle-order batsman tallied 198 runs at an average of 49.5, highlighted by an extraordinary 114 not out, his maiden hundred at that level.

The left-hander’s technical application and considered approach while batting throughout the Super50 tournament left the selection panel — also comprising Wayne Lewis, Barry Barnes, Junior Bennett and Head Coach Robert Haynes — little choice but to name him in the four-day squad.

“Javelle Glenn is one that we’ve been looking at over the years but he didn’t always show that [temperament], wanting to bat long,” Morgan, a former national batsman, told the Jamaica Observer on Thursday. “He came along since last year and has looked the part every inch of the way. We saw him make his first century in the regional 50-over competition and we expect to see him kick on.”

During preparation matches for the four-day tournament only Odain McCatty and Brad Barnes notched centuries. But Morgan said Glenn did not look out of place.

“In the trials he [Glenn] did not make a century but every time he stepped to the wicket he has looked the part, so it’s just for him to carry on. And that’s for other batsmen as well — they have to carry on far enough.”

Top-order left-hand batsman John Campbell, who has played for West Indies in all three formats, continues as captain of the 13-man squad announced for the opening two matches of the season.

The batting also boasts out-of-favour Test batsmen Kirk McKenzie and Jermaine Blackwood, as well as Carlos Brown and McCatty.

Barnes and West Indies white-ball player Odean Smith are the all-rounders, while the bowling unit features West Indies pacer Marquino Mindley, swing bowler Gordon Bryan, left-arm finger spinner Jeavor Royal and teenaged wrist spinner Tamarie Redwood.

Romaine Morris is the lone specialist wicketkeeper in the squad.

“It’s a reasonably balanced squad with players who we believe can take the team forward and players who can adjust to the various situations. I think it’s a line-up that — even if we don’t win the title — can push for a position that we can be relatively happy about,” Morgan said regarding the make-up of the unit.

While some have questioned the omission of tear-away fast bowler Ojay Shields, the chief selector suggested he will have his opportunity at some point this season.

“It’s a team for the first two games so the players there know they have four innings to perform and then the selectors would have to make a decision,” Morgan said.

“Ojay Shields, hands down, is the quickest man around in Jamaica’s cricket today. But being away to the Windwards and the Leewards and the wickets down there not [usually being)conducive to pace bowling, we figured we’d take the extra spinner [in] Tamarie Redwood.”

Guyana Harpy Eagles are the defending champions of the regional four-day tournament.

— Sanjay Myers