Imlach, Lewis drafted by Guyana Jaguars; Nedd signed by Hurricanes

Former West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper/batsman Tevin Imlach and Jamaican off-spinner all-rounder Ramaal Lewis were signed by the Guyana Jaguars for the 2020-2021 Regional season, while Guyana and West Indies Under-19 spinner Ashmead Nedd has been snapped up by Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

Cricket West Indies on Monday held the Professional Players Draft via Zoom with the six franchises participating in a two-round process to finalise their 15-man squads. The franchises had earlier announced their 13 ‘protected players’ ahead of the draft.

Lewis and Bajan all-rounder Raymon Reifer are the two ‘Outside Home Territory’ players for Jaguars, the five-time champions of the Four-Day Championship.

Notably, the Jaguars have contracted young brigade, all-rounder Kevin Sinclair, fast bowler Nial Smith and batsman Akshaya Persaud, with all-rounder Clinton Pestano, Test leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and all-rounder Romario Shepherd missing out.

Shepherd, like compatriots Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, has moved up to CWI retainer contract, while Pestano and Bishoo are still battling with knee injuries.

Nedd is the lone Guyanese signed as an ‘Outside Home Territory’ player, while countrymen Assad Fudadin and Bhaskar Yadram, who turned out for Jamaica Scorpions and Windward Islands Volcanoes respectively last season, have not been retained.