KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Batsman Danza Hyatt is questioning the decision by Jamaica’s new selection panel to omit him from the 14-man squad named for the West Indies NAGICO Super50 tournament starting this month.
Chairman of selectors, Wavell Hinds, says Hyatt, a regular member of the team since making his regional debut in 2004, was dropped due to below par showings in recent years.
The selection committee also includes former West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh, Cleveland Davidson, Wayne Lewis, as well ashead coach Junior Bennett and new captain Chris Gayle.
“I was shocked when I heard the announcement and I was not included,” said Hyatt.
“I did not have a great four-day tournament last season. However, I thought I did well enough in the Super50. I finished as team’s third highest run-scorer behind (André) McCarthy, who I think scored two more than me, and (Nkrumah) Bonner, who I think had about 20-odd more”.
Hyatt, who was named among a list of four reserves for the Super50, has a first-class average of 26.04 from 51 matches, including a century and 17 half-centuries.
He has also played in 41 one-day games where he has an average of 27.21.
“I also did fairly well in the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 where I finished as Jamaica Tallawahs’ third highest run-scorer behind (Chris) Gayle and (André) Russell on our way to winning the title,” said Hyatt who also represented the West Indies in nine one-dayers and five Twenty20 Internationals.
“I am therefore kind of at a loss for words at the moment as why I was left out”.
The regional four-day tournament is slated to get under way on February 22, six days after the completion of the Super50.
