Three debutants in Jamaica Scorpions’ squad for WI Championship

Batsmen Brad Barnes, Leroy Lugg and Kirk McKenzie are the three new faces in the Jamaica Scorpions squad that will contest the first two matches in the 2022 West Indies Championship, slated to bowl off on February 9.

Kensington Cricket Club opener Lugg is joined by former West Indies Under-19 batsman McKenzie, along with former Jamaica Under-15 captain Barnes, who will travel to Trinidad & Tobago in the Scorpions’ 15-man squad, which will be captained once again by John Campbell.

The other batsmen in the squad are West Indies player Jermaine Blackwood, St Mary opener Alwyn Williams and St Catherine batsman Oraine Williams.

The bowling unit comprises pacers Nicholson Gordon, Gordon Bryan, Derval Green and Marquino Mindley, while the spin department includes left-arm spinner Patrick Harty and off-spinner Jamie Merchant. Romaine Morris is the wicketkeeper.

Missing from this squad is veteran batsman Andre McCarthy, along with wicketkeeper Aldane Thomas, who kept wicket for the Scorpions in the 2019 season.

Lead selector Junior Bennett says McCarthy and Thomas’ exclusion came down to production.

EXTREMELY GOOD

“Aldane Thomas’ glovework is extremely good, but we were not getting enough runs from him. While he has been good behind the stumps, it is not the same in front of the wicket. In the case of Andre McCarthy, he has done well for us in white-ball cricket, but he has not shown that level of consistency in the longer form of the game,” said Bennett.”

With the blend of youth and experience, Bennett is hoping that the youngsters in the squad can step up from the youth ranks and make their mark in the senior team.

“They are all players who have done well at the youth level, as well as at the local club level. I am just hoping that they make use of the opportunity. They have scored runs in the four trial games we have played, so it is just for them to go out and continue in that vein,” added Bennett.

Following the Trinidad game on February 9, the Andre Coley-coached Scorpions will then travel to Barbados the following week to engage the Pride franchise.

Jamaica Scorpions 15-member squad: John Campbell (captain), Brad Barnes, Jermaine Blackwood, Gordon Bryan, Nicholson Gordon, Derval Green, Patrick Harty, Leroy Lugg, Kirk McKenzie, Jamie Merchant, Marquino Mindley, Romaine Morris, Paul Palmer, Alwyn Williams, Oraine Williams.