Zeniffe Fowler

The Gleaner has been reliably informed that in-form openers Zeniffe Fowler and John-Ross Campbell are the only newcomers to Jamaica's 24-member four-day training squad, which will begin preparations for the defence of their regional crown next week.

Fowler, a wristy right-handed batsman; and Campbell, a hard-hitting right-hander; were both included in the squad after outstanding performances in this season's local competitions and impressive showings at last month's regional one-day trials where they were numbered among the leading run-getters.

Fowler, 23, led Manchester Lions to the national two-day Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Super League, the final of the Red Stripe Twenty20 Championship and JCA All-Island Limited Overs competitions, while Campbell, 19, played a key role in the Kangaroos lifting the limited-overs title last weekend.

The squad, which will participate in three four-day trial matches beginning on Friday, before a final 14-man squad is named, includes nine players with West Indies experience: Carlton Baugh Jr, Donovan Pagon, Nikita Miller, Shawn Findley, David Bernard Jr, Daren Powell, Brenton Parchment, Xavier Marshall and Wavell Hinds.

Fitness issues

Former captain Tamar Lambert, who was overlooked for the recently-concluded one-day championship in Guyana due to fitness issues, has also been included in the squad, which will be without the services of captain Christopher Gayle, Jerome Taylor and Brendon Nash, who are in Australia on West Indies duties.

The regional championship will begin in January and, like last season, will be played on a home-and-away basis over 12 rounds.

Squad: Tamar Lambert, Odean Brown, Danza Hyatt, Bevon Brown, Carlton Baugh Jr, Donovan Pagon, John-Ross Campbell, Nikita Miller, Zeniffe Fowler, Jason Dawes, Shawn Findley, David Bernard Jr, Horace Miller, Xavier Marshall, Wavell Hinds, Krishmar Santokie, Brenton Parchment, Andrew Richardson, Donovan Sinclair, Andre Russell, Ricardo Dacres, Maverick Perry, Andre Dwyer and Daren Powell.