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JAMAICA Scorpions Head Coach Robert Haynes says he is confident John Campbell will thrive in the role as captain even though the left-handed batsman is just returning from an almost two-year ban.

On Thursday the 31-year-old Campbell, a former captain of the Scorpions, was named to lead the team during the Regional Super50 Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, from October 29 to November 23.

Campbell, who has played 20 Test matches for the West Indies, had been banned for four years by Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) in late 2022 for failing to provide a testing sample to doping control officers in April 2022. The ban was later reduced by two years and two months after he brought his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports.

The ban reduction allowed him to resume playing competitive cricket in late summer and, according to Haynes, the top-order batsman has hit the ground running.

“He’s ready for cricket, he’s hungry for cricket, and he’s been focused,” the head coach told the Jamaica Observer.

“He has been training, doing all that was necessary in terms of his fitness. Since coming back he got a hundred in the first trial game. And we played a practice game on Wednesday, which was rained out eventually, but he got 70-odd runs.”

Haynes said given the youthful make-up of the squad — regular Super50 Captain Rovman Powell and other senior players Brandon King and Fabian Allen are on West Indies white-ball duty — Campbell was a straightforward pick to lead.

“I’m very confident in John because he has the experience and this is not something new to him — he was the Jamaica captain in four-day cricket before he got suspended.

“Brad Barnes is somebody else that we looked on as captain but when we look at the squad, in terms of leaders, John was the best option, with all his experience. John’s contribution in terms of what we are planning for the tournament has been great,” he explained.

Source: Jamaicaobserver.com

In reply to Slipfeeler
Allyuh go be batting for last place.

In reply to Slipfeeler

VOR gave you the kiss of death...

In reply to Slipfeeler

Where is Palmer these days? Is he retired?

In reply to Narper

Not easy to come back and have things click at that age after such a lay-off, so yes, glad that he can come back relatively 'whoole'

In reply to voiceofreason

Thanks VOD for your Goat of confidence, now we cannot be surprised if JA does well

In reply to Brerzerk

BTW I am Jamaican but who is Brad Barnes? Why was was he considered as possible captain?
Reminds me of the previous Sammy-like Captain of Jamaica who could not buy a run, I forgot his name.