'On Probation' Garrick Dropped, Fined

There was continuing uncertainty last night as to whether middle-order batsman, Marlon Samuels, would be available for Jamaica's Carib Beer clash against the Windward Islands, which starts Friday at Sabina Park.

But a sure thing was that opener, Leon Garrick, will miss the game after allegedly breaking team rules in Jamaica's drawn first round game against the Leeward Islands in Anguilla which ended Monday.

Chairman of selectors, Ruddy Williams, said the 26-year-old Garrick, scorer of a half century in Anguilla, had been suspended for this game and fined all his match fee for the last.

Williams said the punishment for Garrick, who played a single Test match for the West Indies against South Africa two years ago, was particularly severe because he had been "on probation". He had previously breached team rules in the build-up to the tournament, Williams said.

In the case of Samuels, Williams said the selectors were hoping that word would come from the International Cricket Council (ICC) early today regarding his status. The 22-year-old Samuels, who was withdrawn two weeks ago from the West Indies World Cup squad because of knee trouble, is hoping to be re-instated following two subsequent diagnoses from US-based specialists passing him fit to play.

Should the ICC reject the WICB's representations on Samuels' behalf, he will be available for Jamaica today, provided the selectors get the news "in good time", Williams said.

With Garrick dropping out and should (Marlon) Samuels be unavailable, 20-year-old Kensington batsman, Maurice Kepple, could make his first-class debut.

The absence of Garrick should mean Donovan Pagon will step up from number three to open the innings with Brenton Parchment.

* SOURCE: Jamaica Observer.