Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

( L - R ) Brendan Nash, Marshall, Jermaine Lawson - file photos

Jamaica's coach Junior Bennett said there were some challenges to reduce the Carib Beer squad yesterday.

In the end, the selectors finally cut West Indies A team fast bowler Andrew Richardson, leg-spinner Gavin Wallace, batsmen Danza Hyatt and Donovan Sinclair and off-spinner Bevon Brown from the previous 18-man squad.

Hard to choose

Bennett said it was hard to come up with the final squad.

"The side was hard to come by because when you look at the 18, they are all quality players," added Bennett.

He also noted that with Jermaine Lawson and Andre Russell as the out-and-out pacers, Brendan Nash and David Bernard Jr. as the medium pacer, it would be hard for Richardson to get in, taking his condition into consideration.

In the end, Australian Nash is expected to make his first class debut for Jamaica while Xavier Marshall and Donovan Pagon could find a place in the final 11 for the first time in over a year.

After hours in the boardroom trying to come up with the best 13, coach Bennett said he is satisfied.

"The selectors came up with a 13-man squad based on the combination they want to use," said Bennett.

"I think it's a fairly balance 13-man squad," he continued.

Jamaica team - Tamar Lambert (captain), Wavell Hinds, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Shawn Findlay, Donovan Pagon, Nikita Miller, Odean Brown, Jermaine Lawson, Andre Russell, David Bernard, Carlton Baugh and Keith Hibbert.

Meanwhile, the Leeward Islands team, led by their captain Omari Banks, arrived in the island yesterday.

Banks, who has played 10 Tests and five One Day International (ODI) matches for West Indies, will lead a 14-man squad that has four newcomers and is a blend of youth and experience.

Antiguan wicket-keeper/batsman Devon Thomas, who is in the West Indies squad for the ICC Youth World Cup in Malaysia next month, is among the uncapped quartet in the Leewards squad which trained at Sabina Park yesterday.

LEEWARDS SQUAD

Omari Banks (captain), Montcin Hodge, Javier Liburd, Steve Liburd, Tonito Willett, Orlando Peters, Maxford Pipe, Lionel Baker, Devon Thomas, Chaka Hodge, Gavin Tonge, Adam Sanford and Anthony Martin.

Coach - John Archibald; Manager - Hugh Gore.