Ja’s Blackwood to lead Team ‘A’ in warm-up match

Jamaican middle-order batsman Jermaine Blackwood will captain squad 'A' against Jahmar Hamilton's squad 'B' in today's intra-squad four-day 'Best v Best' match as part of their preparations for the upcoming Test Series against South Africa.

Following two weeks of intense training in St Lucia, head coach Phil Simmons will be utilising the encounter to have a final look at some players who will make up the final squad ahead of the first Test which bowls off on June 10.

Playing alongside Blackwood is his Jamaican compatriot John Campbell, who will be looking to impress with a huge score to keep his opening position alongside regular captain Kraigg Brathwaite.

Jamaican pacer Oshane Thomas, who has recently been invited back into the regional set-up following fitness issues, will also take part in Blackwood's XI.

Fellow Jamaicans Nkrumah Bonner and Paul Palmer Jr will turn out for Hamilton's XI.

In the meantime, Blackwood, who has come under pressure following below-par scores in the recently concluded series against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, is keen to get some match action under his belt also and eager to lead one of the teams in the absence of regular captain Brathwaite.

"The fans can expect great cricket over the next four days because we have some very competitive athletes here. We are ready to go play some exciting cricket starting today. We are a group of hungry players, who are ready to showcase our talent to the selectors and coaches. I am very honoured to be leading one of the teams," said Blackwood.

Four players who played in the recent series against Sri Lanka will be unavailable for the 'Best v Best' match. Jason Holder, the ICC's Number one ranked Test all-rounder, arrived in St Lucia on May 28 and after going through the agreed quarantine protocols, will begin training tomorrow once he has returned two negative PCR tests. Test captain Brathwaite and fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph are scheduled to arrive in St Lucia later this week following their English County Championship commitments.

The two-match Test series against South Africa will also be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground for the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy on June 10-14 and June 18-22 and are the final matches in the current cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. The visitors are due to arrive on the island tomorrow.

FULL SQUADS:

Squad A: Jermaine Blackwood (captain), John Campbell, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Kyle Mayers, Kavem Hodge, Joshua Da Silva, Rahkeem Cornwall, Veerasammy Permaul, Keon Harding, Shannon Gabriel, Nial Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr and Oshane Thomas.

Squad B: Jahmar Hamilton (captain), Shayne Moseley, Kieran Powell, Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Paul Palmer Jr, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican, Chemar Holder, Preston McSween, Jayden Seales, Keron Cottoy and Obed McCoy.