Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Brendon Nash lines up to play the ball during his innings in the Jamaica cricket trial match at Sabina yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Australian Brendan Nash is getting closer to his dream of playing for the West Indies.
The left-handed batsman was yesterday named in a 17-man Jamaica squad preparing for the regional KFC Cup one-day tournament.
The 29-year-old Nash, who represented Kingston Cricket Club in one local match this season, is of Jamaican parentage and has recently moved to Jamaica with the intention of playing for the West Indies.
Nash, who played professionally in Australia for state team Queensland, was immediately drafted into the Jamaica trial and impressed the selectors with his batting.
Meanwhile, David Bernard Jr., Xavier Marshall, Donovan Pagon and Dwight Washington, all of whom played Test cricket for the West Indies, have been left out of the preliminary squad.
However, two other new faces, Donovan Sinclair and Krishmar Santokie, are included in the Chris Gayle-led squad.
The squad will train this week before moving to Chedwin Park on Saturday and Sunday where they will play two additional practice matches.
Five youngsters - Shacoya Thomas, Nukrummah Bonner, Jason Dawes, Horace Miller and Andre Creary - who are members of the West Indies Under-19 set-up which will take part in the tournament, will join the group for the practice matches.
Marlon samuels selected
West Indies player Marlon Samuels, who missed all the trail matches due to an ankle injury, was also named in the squad, which will be reduced to 13 on Sunday. The full squad: Chris Gayle (captain), Brenton Parchment, Donovan Sinclair, Marlon Samuels, Shawn Findlay, Carlton Baugh Jr, Keith Hibbert, Brendon Nash, Odean Brown, Nikita Miller, Jerome Taylor, Jermaine Lawson, Daren Powell, Krishmar Santokie, Tamar Lambert, Andrew Richardson, Danza Hyatt.
Meanwhile, in yesterday's final trial match, Lambert's XI defeated Gayle's XI by seven wickets. Gayle's XI were dismissed for 149. Xavier Marshall led the way with 51 against Odean Brown (2-8) and Daren Powell (2-42).
In reply, Lambert's XI scored 150 for three in 36.1 overs.
Shawn Findlay top-scored with 41, while Nash chipped in with 40 and Lambert 35 not out.
