Paul Palmer Jr

Former national Under-19 captain Paul Palmer Jr has revealed that it came as a surprise to him that he was selected to captain a Jamaica XI against touring New Zealand.

A relative unknown on the local cricket scene, the 22-year-old is set to captain the team in two matches against the visitors, the first of which bowls off today at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium.

The encounter, a two-day fixture, will be followed by a three-dayer, starting next Monday.

"I was totally surprised when I heard that I was going to be the captain, as I did not see it coming at all," said Palmer, who led Jamaica to the regional Under-19 double in 2009.

hope of making the Jamaica team

"I was just playing cricket with the hope of making the Jamaica team one day, and did not really expect that I would be asked, as there are other senior players around.

"But I am really grateful and happy for the opportunity to lead my country once again, and hope that I will be able to go out and do well."

Palmer Jr, the nephew of former Jamaica batsman, Dixeth Palmer, and son of former national youth representative Paul Palmer Sr, made his first-class debut earlier this season.

Representing the Combined Campuses and Colleges, he was, however, unsuccessful in the two matches he played in the WICB Four-day tournament.

After making four and seven against the Windward Islands in his opening game, the Westmoreland native was only able to follow up that with scores of four and zero against Jamaica.

Palmer Jr is set to take over the reigns from regular captain, Tamar Lambert, who along with several senior players were not selected in a 22-man squad for the matches.

New Zealand will be using the matches as warm-up for the first Test against West Indies, which is set for Sabina Park beginning on June 8.

Jamaica squad: Paul Palmer (capt), Horace Miller, Jon-Ross Campbell, Kennar Lewis, Delbert Gayle, Cassius Burton Jnr, Brandon King, Derval Green, Aldaine Thomas, Gavon Brown, John Campbell, Nicholson Gordon, Jamie Merchant, Damion Jacobs, Odean Brown, Brian Buchanan, Christopher Powell, Ramaal Lewis, Shacaya Thomas, Fabian Allen, André McCarthy, Marquino Mindley.