KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Tamar Lambert has vowed to fight his way back into Jamaica’s Twenty20 side, after selectors on Monday sacked him as captain and left him out of their 14-man squad for next month’s Caribbean T20 Championship. The 29-year-old, who has struggled in T20s of recent, was replaced by an equally out-of-form Wavell Hinds for the January 10-23 tournament in Antigua and Barbados.
Lambert said he had suffered disappointments before and had bounced back, and intended to do the same thing again.
“I wouldn’t say that I was surprised, but I am disappointed,” Lambert told the Jamaica Gleaner.
“I have a batting average of 4.66, which does not go well for me. But if I might say, this is a result of me making sacrifices for the team at times and batting down the order. Sometimes I bat at seven or eight, where I only get to face two or six deliveries.
“Also, I wouldn’t say I have a very serious fitness problem, as I have been playing cricket over the years and have done fairly well. I have also seen from time to time people with sizes close to mine doing fairly well at the international level.
“But having said that, I am one who is always up for a challenge and it is my intention to work on fitness, among other things, that I can get another chance.
“I was left out of the 50 overs two seasons ago and came back last season and I would like to do a similar thing in Twenty20.”
Ironically, Lambert controversially replaced West Indies opener Chris Gayle as captain of Jamaica for the CT20 Championship in July but failed to make an impression with the bat.
In eight T20s overall, the right-hander averages a meagre 4.66 at a strike rate of 50, a record which did not endear him to national selectors.
Lambert argued, however, that he still had much to offer the T20 format.
“I think that I am an all-round player who can bat pace well and manoeuvre spinners into the gaps well and am a good enough spinner that can be used in tight situations, all of which are important in Twenty20 cricket,” he contended.
“However, at the end of the day it’s up to the selectors and if they feel that I am not good enough for Twenty20 cricket I have to accept their position. I will just have to go back and put in the work and show them what I am worth.”