KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Senior West Indies middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels is in breach of selection policy and so does not qualify to represent the Jamaica Franchise in the new Professional Cricket League starting on Friday, the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) has announced.
Samuels was not included in a Jamaica 13-man squad named last week for their opening game against Windward Islands Volcanoes, beginning Friday at Sabina Park.
He has been accused of violating section 1.1 of the JCA’s selection policy, which states that players must participate in local cricket when not representing Jamaica, the West Indies or any other competition sanctioned by the JCA, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) or the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The section has been in existence for close to two years, the JFA has explained. “He (Samuels) is not qualified to represent Jamaica in the upcoming regional first-class tournament,” JCA Chief Executive Officer Courtney Francis told The Gleaner.
“This is on the basis that he is in breach of the JCA’s selection policy”.
“He (Samuels) needs to play 80 per cent or more national competitions, or otherwise give an acceptable reason for his absence. This includes if he being on West Indies duties, or provide evidence that he is injured and cannot take part in national competitions,” said Francis.
“He got dropped for the New Zealand and Bangladesh series and was supposed to turn out for Melbourne during the (two-day) Senior Cup and he did not.”
Samuels, who scored two centuries in three matches for the West Indies one-day team before their abandoned tour of India last month, was expected to play a lead role for Jamaica in the revamped four-day tournament.
Selectors have named Tamar Lambert, all-rounder David Bernard Jr and wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr as the squad’s most recognised batsmen.
Newly capped West Indies Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Shacaya Thomas, André McCarthy, and John Campbell are the other specialist batsmen.
Meantime West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor is expected to miss Jamaica’s first two matches in the regional tournament.
Taylor, who was also part of the West Indies ill-fated tour of India, has requested time off to deal with personal matters.
“He (Taylor) has asked the JCA for some time off to take care of some personal matters and it was granted,” said Francis.
“He is expected to turn out for training next Friday, which means that he is set to miss the team’s second game away to Barbados next weekend as well.”
The Jamaica selection panel is headed by Wavell Hinds and includes Robert Haynes, Delroy Morgan, Wayne Lewis, and Cleveland Davidson.