Samuels left out of Jamaica squad

Kingston (Jamaica), Nov 11 (IANS/CMC) 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 (PCL) starting Friday, the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) has announced.

Samuels was not included in a Jamaica 13-man squad for their opening game against Windward Islands Volcanoes, beginning Friday at Sabina Park, reports CMC.

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 percent 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.