No place for Lambert

Many-time winning Jamaica captaiN Tamar Lambert, has been omitted from the Jamaica Scorpions squad for their sixth-round WICB First-Class Tournament clash away to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes next weekend.

Lambert, who was overlooked for Jamaica's first two matches of the season, but was recalled following a series of poor batting performances, participated in the team's third, fourth and fifth encounters.

However, following equally low batting returns on his part, as well as subpar batting during the WICB Super50 one-day tournament in Trinidad and Tobago last month, the national selection panel has decided to look past the 34-year-old once more.

The 13-member squad, which departs next week, includes seven specialist batsmen.

This follows the return of young West Indies strokemaker, Jermaine Blackwood, and the recall of Kirk Edwards and Shacaya Thomas.

Edwards, following average returns in the team's first four outings, missed their fifth match due to injury, while Thomas, the tournament's second highest runscorer two seasons ago and one of the outstanding batsmen at the preseason national trials, is yet to make an appearance this season.

The Jamaica Scorpions, respective fourth- and fifth-place finishers for the past two seasons, are currently third in the six-team standings with five rounds of matches to go.

With a record of three wins and two defeats, they have 53 points, 10 less that Barbados Pride, with runaway leaders and title-holders Guyana Jaguars on top with 85.

Jamaica Scorpions squad: Paul Palmer Jr (captain), John Campbell, Kirk Edwards, Jermaine Blackwood, AndrÈ McCarthy, Devon Thomas, Carlton Baugh Jr, David Bernard Jr, Nikita Miller, Damion Jacobs, Sheldon Cottrell, Marquino Mindley, Shacaya Thomas.