Six J’cans named in ‘Best vs Best’ practice match in preparation for Test series against Sri Lanka

Batsmen Paul Palmer Jr and seamer Derval Green are among six Jamaicans named by Cricket West Indies in a 26-player group who will participate in a "Best vs Best" four-day practice match in preparation for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.

Several members of the West Indies Test team which beat Bangladesh in the recent series have been named for the match, including Jamaicans John Campbell, Jermaine Blackwood and Nkrumah Bonner. The other player is fast bowler Marquino Mindley, who was a part of the reserve squad that toured the United Kingdom with the West Indies last year.

The match will be held on March 8-11 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) ahead of the two-Test matches, which will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

CWI lead selector Roger Harper says the new concept was formalised to properly prepare the Test team for the Sri Lanka assignment.

"The 'Best v Best' game is firstly part of our preparation for the Test series against Sri Lanka. It gives the players who performed well in the last West Indies Championship an opportunity to showcase their skills, playing against each other, which we expect to be very competitive and put forward a case for themselves. It is a chance to raise their stock and show what they can do," Harper said.

SQUAD A: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Derval Green, Keon Harding, Shimron Hetmyer, Kavem Hodge, Paul Palmer Jr, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieran Powell, Preston McSween, Jayden Seales.

SQUAD B: Roston Chase (captain), Sunil Ambris, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Imran Khan, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Raymon Reifer, Nial Smith, and Jomel Warrican.