Ricardo Powell

Powell made a total of 116 appearances for the West Indies between 1999 and 2006 and is widely considered to be one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball.  Looking back at his introduction to the West Indies team as a 21-year-old in 1999, he freely admits that he had failed to grasp certain key elements needed for success during his development as a junior player.

“I remember growing up as a young player never understanding what discipline was in terms of the sport of cricket and how that was applied to cricket,” Powell told the Mason and Guest radio show.

“I always thought that this guy is indiscipline, he isn’t disciplined, not knowing that they were talking about the application to the actual game itself and not necessarily your behavior on and off the field,” he added.

In order to mitigate against such deficiencies affecting future generations of West Indies players, Powell believes the region must make a serious investment in mentorship programs.

“Mentorship should be a big thing in West Indies cricket right now because we are living in a different time and everyone wants to be successful overnight because of what T20 has brought to the game,” Powell said.

"I think a lot of mentorship needs to be taking place with workshops for younger players on and off the field.  The workshops also have to be relatable, with people like myself who have played the game and understand what it is to come from certain walks of life and make it to the top and understand what it takes to get there and how you are going to stay there.”

Powell hammered an even 100 off a mere 57 balls, which ensured that the Capitals chased down 164 with inside 18 overs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

Scores: Southern Superstars 163-6 (20 overs); India Capitals 164-3 (17.4 overs)

The 44-year-old, who featured in two Tests and 109 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies, struck six fours and 10 sixes in the knock in which he raised his half-century in the ninth over after smashing seamer Ashok Dinda for 23 runs.

From there, things got easier for Powell, who partnered with former West Indies Test vice-captain Kirk Edwards in a 128-run, match-winning third wicket stand.

Edwards had five boundaries and a solitary six in his unbeaten 35-ball 45.

Earlier, Sri Lankan Chaturanga de Silva registered a 34-ball 56, while Shreevats Goswami and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor chipped in with 24 apiece, in getting the Superstars to what seemed a competitive total at that point.

Former West Indies off-spinner Ashley Nurse took two for 32 to assist in restricting the Superstars.

Powell’s compatriot Chadwick Walton lashed 104 off 55 deliveries for Manipal Tigers in their encounter on Friday.