Miller time!

Prominent spinner to lead Jamaica in WICB Professional League

NIKITA MILLER will be a new captain when Jamaica take the field for their first match of the new-look regional four-day Digicel SportsMax WICB Professional League, which bowls off in two weeks.

The left-arm spinner, who has represented the West Indies at various levels, has been named as a replacement captain for young Paul Palmer Jr., who has once again been stripped of the post.

Palmer Jr was relieved of the position midway last season due to poor batting form, but was reinstated for the final few matches of the season.

That is not the only negative against Palmer Jr., as he has also failed to make the squad for the team’s opening match-up away to defending champions Guyana Jaguars.

The 14-member squad, which was announced yesterday by the national selectors, has once again seen the omission of out-of-favour West Indies representatives, wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr and allrounder David Bernard Jr. The experienced duo, following a string of poor performances, missed several matches last season.

Also missing from the squad is another discarded West Indies batsman, Barbadian Kirk Edwards, who after being drafted as a regional overseas player last season, was dropped for the final set of matches due to poor performances.

Edwards has since returned to his homeland with the hope of making the Barbados team this season.

UNCAPPED PLAYER

The squad, which has Antiguan Devon Thomas and young Guyanese opener Trevon Griffith as its mandatory two regional overseas players, features one uncapped player in fast bowling all-rounder, Derval Green.

A former national Under-19 captain, Green has represented Jamaica in four List-A regional Super50 matches, but is yet to make his fourday debut.

Jamaica, who has for the past three seasons struggled, having finished fourth, fifth and third, respectively, will this year be coached by Robert Samuels.

The former West Indies opener has replaced longstanding coach, Junior Bennett, who has now been appointed chairman of selectors.

Jamaica will open against the Leon Johnson-led Guyana next Friday at the Providence Stadium.

Jamaica Scorpions squad – Nikita Miller (captain), John Campbell, Trevon Griffith, Devon Thomas, Jermaine Blackwood, Brandon King, Shacaya Thomas, Andre McCarthy, Chadwick Walton, Damion Jacobs, Derval Green, Marquino Mindley and Jason Dawes. Fitness trainer David Bernard Sr, physiotherapist Matthew Parchment.