Campbell in mix to face South Africa

Jamaica and West Indies opening batsman John Campbell could take part in the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa to take place in the Caribbean early next month.

Chief selector Roger Harper says Campbell, who had modest returns of 68 runs in four innings in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka in Antigua, has been included in a training squad.

The left-hander has come under pressure to keep his place in the Test side, having less than stellar numbers in his last few international outings.

STILL A CHANCE

Pundits believed that the Sri Lanka series would have been the nail in the coffin for the 27-year-old, but Harper says players will still have a chance to show their worth.

“We haven’t decided that we are finished with anyone,” Harper said. “You would have noted that we have selected a squad to prepare for the series against South Africa, and John is in that squad.”

In the last four series, in which Campbell batted in nine Test matches, the Jamaica Scorpions regional four-day captain has scored just 342 runs in 18 innings, with just one-half century against New Zealand.

Despite those paltry numbers, Campbell will be given another opportunity to prove his worth to the selectors and head coach, in a training camp that will feature some 30 players.

“There is still opportunity for players to prove and show to us that they deserve to be selected and that they are the right players,” Harper said.

Regional cricket pundit Fazeer Mohammed recently said Campbell should be replaced at the top of the order with Barbadian Shai Hope, who had shown strong form with the bat.

Hope, who was making a return to the West Indies team, scored the most runs of 258, including a century and two half-centuries against Sri Lanka in the One-Day International series.

Cricket West Indies is set to announce details of the upcoming two Test matches and five Twenty20 international series against the West Indies later this week.

sports@gleanerjm.com