Jamaica Look To Perry in Semifinal

Nehemiah Perry has been named to replace the injured Gareth Breese in Jamaica's 14 man squad for tomorrow's Carib Beer Semi-Final match against the Windward Islands, at Alpart in St Elizabeth.

A veteran of 17 first class seasons and with 4 Tests and 21 ODIs to his name, Perry's off spin is expected to play a key role in the must-win encounter. Furthermore, he has been known to trouble the Windward Islands batsmen in the past, according to Jamaica team manager Maurice Clarke.

Troubled with a bad knee for which he underwent surgery prior to the regional First Class season, Perry will be subject to a fitness test before the start of play. The experienced all-rounder played in only the first two rounds before pulling out of the squad after Round 2.

This weekend's match will be the third game to be played on the same strip in as many weeks, and if Jamaica wins the toss, it is likely that they will bat first on a pitch that can be expected to take a lot of spin as the match progresses.

The Jamaican team will again be led by Chris Gayle, who took over the captaincy when Gareth Breese suffered a broken arm courtesy of the Leeward Islands' fast bowler Adam Sandford last week. Gayle is optimistic about the match and is forecasting victory. "Yes, we're going to win. We'll be in the finals, I'm looking forward to that," said a confident Gayle during team training at Sabina Park on Ash Wednesday.

Insiders suggest that with the exception of Perry for Breese the final XI will be unchanged from last weekend's team.

The 14-man squad reads: Chris Gayle (captain), Maurice Kepple, Donovan Pagon, Brenton Parchment, Tamar Lambert, David Bernard Jr, Carlton Baugh Jr, Keith Hibbert, Nehemiah Perry, Odean Brown, Ryan Cunningham, Andrew Richardson, Daren Powell, and Dwight Mais.

15 man squad named for Tour Match vs England

Meanwhile, the Ruddy Williams-led selection panel has named a 15 man squad from which to choose a final Jamaica XI to face England in the 3 day tour match at Sabina Park starting on March 1. Wavell Hinds, who is coming back after an injury forced him out of the African tour, has been included in the squad and is expected to be appointed captain. Also included is fast bowler Jermaine Lawson who has played no competitive cricket since being reported for throwing last May.

The full squad reads Wavell Hinds, Shawn Findlay, Brenton Parchment, Donovan Pagon, Danza Hyatt, Tamar Lambert, Lorenzo Ingram, Matthew Sinclair, Bevon Brown, Evon McInnis, Dwight Washington, Philip Keating, Dwight Mais, Jermaine Lawson, and Maurice Kepple