Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Ingram... Scored centuries in either innings at the last practice match.
ST. CATHERINE Cricket Club's Tamar Lambert was yesterday evening named captain of Jamaica's cricket squad for their 2005 Carib Beer Series opening match against the Leeward Islands on January 7 at Kaiser Sports Club, Discovery Bay.
Lambert will also be in charge for Jamaica's next two games before senior players such as Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds return from West Indies duties to join the squad.
The squad was named following yesterday's final practice match, which ended in a draw at Kensington Oval.
Lambert's XI reached 86 for seven at the end of the day's play, trying to overhaul Baugh's XI second innings 302.
Lorenzo Ingram scored his second century of the game to lead Baugh's XI. His 101 not out from 170 balls included eight fours.
NEVER HEARD OR SEEN
"I've never heard or seen anything like that before," said Jamaica's coach, Robert Haynes. "It's quite possibly the first time that a player has scored two centuries in one trial game," he added.
Ingram was amply supported by Pagon, who made 43 and Bernard Jnr., who got to 20 before going caught by Findley off the bowling of Cunningham. Ingram was afterwards joined by Baugh, who raced to 41, highlighted by a particularly savage over against Cunningham, who he hit for four boundaries.
The selectors named five newcomers including Danza Hyatt and Sean Findley, both of whom played last year for the West Indies 'B' team. They are joined by Bevon Brown, Nikita Miller and Dwight Stewart.
Lambert, short on runs recently, has the double duty of leading and performing, bearing in mind that he has never made a first class century, something he said he is not about to worry over.
"I feel good, it's an honour to captain one's country and I'm just looking forward to it," he said.
"I've been struggling a bit, not getting any runs but I've been stroking the ball well in training so it's just for the runs to come. To be a captain at any level is not easy but as I've said before I have a job to do and I'm just going to go out there and enjoy my cricket."
GOOD FAITH
Surprisingly, the board of selectors decided to show good faith in the out of form Hyatt, who hasn't gotten many runs of late but was a heavy scorer for the West Indies 'B' team last season.
In the batting department, Hyatt will be backed up by the likes of Maurice Kepple, Donovan Pagon, Lambert, Carlton Baugh Jnr., David Bernard Jnr and Ingram, whose achievement at this year's trials, consecutive centuries, is one for the books.
Findley, as a newcomer, while not scoring many runs, defended his selection.
"I'm not really a trial sort of person," he said. "I am a game person so when the games come along I'll be ready."
Stewart was grateful for the opportunity that he said came with hard work.
"This is a very big moment for me. I worked so hard to get here and I'm very thankful. I trained very hard and I pray every day to the almighty," said the humble giant.
Brown was hoping to make it to the final eleven, where he thinks he can do the rest.
"First thing is I'm hoping to get a game and if I do then I'll go out there and do what I do best and enjoy my cricket," he said.
Bernard Jnr. shouldn't be required to do too much bowling with Darren Powell, Jerome Taylor, who is making his comeback after a lengthy hiatus due to injury. Odean and Bevon Brown, Ryan Cunningham, Miller and Stewart are also in as bowlers. Wicketkeepers Carlton Baugh Jnr. and Keith Hibbert have retained their places.
"As far as the injury is concerned, everything is okay, I'm feeling pretty confident within myself to bring home the cup for Jamaica," said Taylor after the announcement.
Gavin Wallace, Brenton Parchment, Krishman Santokie and Jowayne Robinson were named as reserves.
The naming of the squad was contingent on the unavailability of the West Indies players, Marlon Samuels, Gayle, Xavier Marshall, pacer Dwight Washington and Hinds, who will be named captain when available.
