Sport

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Information reaching The Gleaner is that Tamar Lambert is set to captain Jamaica at the upcoming inaugural Caribbean Twenty20 Championship, to be staged jointly by Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

It is understood that Lambert, who earlier this year guided Jamaica to regional four-day glory for the third successive year, has been chosen ahead of West Indies captain Chris Gayle.

The decision to appoint Lambert as captain, according to Gleaner sources, comes after a recommendation by the national selection committee, headed by chairman Nehemiah Perry, and ratification by the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) board of directors, headed by its president, Paul Campbell.

Exemplary record

According to the source, who requested anonymity, consideration was given to Lambert's exemplary record as captain of Jamaica from youth level to the present.

The national selection committee is completed by former chairman Ruddy Williams, coach Junior Bennett and local cricket administrator Ephraim McLeod.

"The selectors and board of directors thought that Lambert, as a captain, has been doing a very good job as a leader and commands the full respect and confidence of the players, and with the championship expected to be a very difficult one he was the person to lead the team," the source explained.

Efforts to contact Perry, Campbell or JCA secretary, Ian Brown, proved futile, as calls to their mobile phone went straight to voicemail.

Lambert, who has been captaining Jamaica to regional success from Under-15 and Under-19 levels, over a five-year period has led Jamaica at the senior level in 30 matches, winning 28 and losing two.

Meanwhile, Lambert will be leading a fairly strong squad. Only hard-hitting opener Danza Hyatt, Krishmar Santokie and the captain in the 14-man squad are yet to represent the West Indies at senior or 'A' team level.

SQUAD: Tamar Lambert (captain), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Marlon Samuels, Xavier Marshall, Brenton Parchment, Danza Hyatt, David Bernard Jr, Andre Russell, Carlton Baugh Jr, Nikita Miller, Krishmar Santokie, Odean Brown and Andre Richardson.