Jamaica Scorpions Captain Nikita Miller says he is optimistic of his team’s chances of lifting the 2016-17 Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day title.
The Scorpions begin the new campaign today versus champions Guyana Jaguars at Providence.
“I’m looking forward to this group just going out there and expressing themselves,” Miller told the Jamaica Observer.
“I believe if they perform to their ability then we’ll be close to the top, if not at the top. Most of them [the players] are young, but they have been around for a little while, so I expect great things from them. They just have to fulfil their potential because they have a lot of potential.”
The Scorpions skipper, a veteran in regional cricket, argued that the present bowling options are even wider that than before.
He reasoned that plenty is also expected from the batsmen.
“The bowling department has a lot more competition because more people are performing, so there are more options. In the fast bowling department there are people who have genuine pace and will be in contention as the season goes on. “People are also performing with the bat. You also have people like Rovman [Powell] and pacer [Reynard] Leveridge who aren’t involved in the first game. There are people like Jerome [Taylor], who I believe will, at some point, play a part because he’s still interested in playing first class cricket,” Miller said.
The recently appointed captain said the door is open to Jamaica’s global stars who are interested in playing for the Scorpions.
“It’s always open to any of the international players who are willing to represent the franchise, so we are in a good place,” said Miller.
The left-arm finger spinner said young players are also waiting in the wings for the opportunity.