By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Rose... back in action for Jamaica.
FORMER WEST Indies pacer Franklyn Rose and Marlon Samuels were yesterday named in Jamaica's 13-man squad for their opening round Carib Beer regional cricket tournament match against the Leeward Islands, which starts on Friday in Anguilla.
The 30-year-old Rose, who for the past two seasons played professional cricket in South Africa and England, and Samuels, who was dropped from the West Indies World Cup squad because of uncertainties surrounding his fitness, should boost a squad without the likes of Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ricardo Powell and Jermaine Lawson who are off to South Africa for the World Cup.
Eighteen-year-old fast bowler Jerome Taylor is the only new first-class face in the squad which leaves the island today. Batsman Donovan Pagon, who has not represented Jamaica at this level, but has played first-class cricket for the West Indies A and B teams is also included.
"When picking the squad, we take the opponent's strengths and weaknesses into consideration," chairman of selectors Ruddy Williams said.
"We also have to look at the pitch," he said. "We also looked at our strengths - if we were able to pick a balanced team with strong batting or strong bowling.
"All these things have to be considered when selecting a team," the former Melbourne player said.
Williams, who along with Lyndel Wright, Courtney Daley and captain Robert Samuels picked the squad, said they (the selectors) got a report on the Anguilla pitch and the players named should be able to exploit the conditions.
"The Leeward Islands don't normally liked legspinners," Williams said. "So we could not forget those things when selecting the squad".
However, ironically, Odean Brown, the only legspinner in the 16-man squad announced on January 12 was not considered for selection.
Instead, the selectors opted to carry veteran off-spinners Nehemiah Perry and left-arm spinner Ryan Cunningham.
"The report I got from people who played there recently said that the pitch is bouncy and the pacers will do well there," Williams said.
The Jamaica squad: Robert Samuels (captain), Leon Garrick, Brenton Parchment, Mario Ventura, David Bernard Jnr., Keith Hibbert, Nehemiah Perry, Daren Powell, Ryan Cunningham, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Donovan Pagon and Franklyn Rose.
