Ventura, Mais Back for Jamaica

Experienced left-handed batsman, Mario Ventura, who last represented Jamaica two seasons ago, and 24-year-old fastbowler, Dwight Mais, who missed out last season, were yesterday named in the Robert Samuels-led Jamaica 16-man squad for the regional four-day Busta Cup tournament, which begins on January 25.

The team will be captained by former West Indies opener Robert Samuels. The Jamaican selectors also made its recommendations for the West Indies 'B' team.

The squad includes nine players who have represented West Indies at Test or limited overs' international level and Jamaicans will fancy its chances of succesfully defending the Busta International Shield title as well as winning the Busta Cup.

Wrist-spinner, Brian Murphy, 28, who was a vital member of the Jamaica team in the Red Stripe Bowl limited overs' tournament last October, but who made himself unavailable for last season's first class tournament is also back.

The tall elegant middle-order batsman, David Bernard Jr, 20, vice-captain of last year's West Indies "B" team and a useful medium pacer, is also included and will be hoping to make his Jamaica first class debut.

Fastbowler, Jermaine Lawson, who like Bernard has already played first class cricket but is yet to make his first class debut for Jamaica, gets his chance.

Lawson who will turn 20 on January 13 and is currently nursing a side strain, actually represented the West Indies in two one-day internationals late last year after travelling to Sri Lanka as a replacement bowler.

The Jamaica squad contains no real surprises with perhaps the most notable omissions being leftarm finger spinner, Ryan Cunningham, 23, who captured 22 Busta Cup/Shield wickets last year at 22.22 each and 19-year-old opening batsman, Brenton Parchment, who is recovering from a knee operation.

Retained in the squad is former West Indies limited overs' international medium-paced allrounder, Laurie Williams, who turned 33 on December 12.

Jamaica squad: Robert Samuels (captain), Gareth Breese (vice-captain), Leon Garrick, Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Laurie Williams, Jermaine Lawson, Audley Sanson, Keith Hibbert, Mario Ventura, David Bernard Jr, Ricardo Powell, Dwight Mais, Darren Powell, Brian Murphy.

Recommended for West Indies 'B': Phillip Keating, Carlton Baugh Jr, Maurice Kepple, Bevon Brown.

SOURCE: Jamaica Observer.