BASSETERRE, St. Kitts-THE second round of the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) regional 4-Day competition became even more exciting yesterday (Jan. 13) when it was announced that Jamaica would be recalling right-armed fast bowler Daren Powell for their match against the Leeward Islands.
Powell is a regular of the West Indies senior cricket team with 37 Tests to his names since his debut against New Zealand in 2002. From those matches he has amassed 85 wickets with an economy of 3.44.
The experienced 31-year-old replaces Jason Dawes in the 13-man Jamaican lineup and is expected to share the new ball at Friday’s proceedings with Andrew Richardson.
Powell also 96 first class matches to his name since earning a place on the Jamaican team in 2000 and has logged 267 wickets during that time period.
The decision to replace Dawes comes after the returning champions for this competition trounced the Windward Islands in Spanish Town by six wickets, thanks in large part a stupendous seven wicket haul for Nikita Miller in the first innings.
Miller continued to lead the way for Jamaica in the second innings as he picked up two from 33 overs, but the rest of the bowling team also showed their ability to work, including David Bernard and Odean Brown who each picked up two wickets.
The replacement of Dawes, who did not play in the tournament opener, will no doubt add yet another strength to the already threatening Jamaican team.
Meanwhile, Leeward Islands will be coming into tomorrow’s match, which is to be held at Warner Park, off of a tough draw with Barbados in the first round.
Despite failing to put up large totals in the crease, Leeward Islands had a strong bowling effort led by Anthony Martin to restrict their opponents. At times it appeared as if the Leewards would be able to squeeze out a victory in the final day, but Barbados held on for a second innings total of 158/7 to earn the draw.
Action for Jamaica and the Leeward Islands will bowl off tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m.
Other second round matches will feature Barbados facing the Combined Campuses & Colleges in Charlestown, Nevis and Guyana taking on Trinidad & Tobago in North Sound, Antigua.
