As expected, there were no surprises in Jamaica's 18-man squad which was announced by the Jamaica Cricket Association yesterday.

The squad, which will begin the defence of their four-day title on January 8, sees the return of Tamar Lambert as captain, with left-arm wrist spinner Andre Dwyer and batsmen Shawn Findlay being the only players who were not part of the team's championship run last year.

Lambert, after guiding the team to back-to-back titles earlier in the year, was dropped for the regional one-day tournament in October due to fitness concerns.

First-class level

Dwyer, who was one of the leading bowlers during the just-concluded three-match national trials, has represented the country twice at the first-class level, while Findlay, who ended as the top all-rounder during the trials, has represented Jamaica in 10 first-class matches, and the West Indies in nine one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals.

Findlay missed the regional tournament last year due to West Indies duties, while Horace Miller is yet to make his first-class debut but has represented the country in four one-day matches.

"We were very impressed with the way he bowled in the trials. He has improved in his control over time, and with Trinidad having a back-of-the-arm spinner like him it should not only give us good practice, but prepare us for the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands, who don't play spin well," said national chairman of selectors, Nehemiah Perry.

Perry, along with selection committee members Ruddy Williams, Ephraim McLeod and head coach Junior Bennett, chose the squad.

Standout performance

"It's good feeling to be part of the squad, to know that out of 24 players your performance was a standout," said the 27- year-old Dwyer.

"I am now hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that I can be part of the 13 to be selected for each match, and get into the starting eleven. It's a lot of hard work, but I am prepared to do what is necessary to make it to the top."

First-time invitees, batsmen Zeniffe Fowler and John-Ross Campbell, who are both eligible to compete for the Combined Colleges and Campuses team, fast bowlers Krishmar Santokie and Ricardo Dacres, all-rounder NKrumah Bonner and wicketkeeper were the players to miss out on selection.

Squad: Tamar Lambert, Odean Brown, Brenton Parchment, Bevon Brown, Xavier Marshall, Andrew Richardson, Shawn Findlay, Daren Powell, Danza Hyatt, Jason Dawes, Donovan Pagon, Andre Russell, Wavell Hinds, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh, Horace Miller, David Bernard Jr, Andre Dwyer.

- J.L