Rovman Powell
Having enjoyed three-consecutive series victories since taking over as West Indies Twenty20 captain, Rovman Powell credits the Caribbean’s side’s success under his leadership, to the overwhelming support of teammates and staff.
Powell, who was appointed in February following the sudden resignation of Nicholas Pooran, has so far guided West Indies to T20 International triumphs away to South Africa, as well as home wins against India and more recently England.
The accomplishment not only ensured West Indies ends the year unbeaten in a series, but more importantly, serves as a solid platform on which they can build ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup to be hosted jointly by the Caribbean and United States.
“I think I just have a good bunch of guys around me. I have a very good support staff and the guys respect me and they trust me and trust my judgement. And also, I try to lead from the front. I think as a captain once you lead from the front then naturally guys will follow,” Powell said after West Indies topped England 3-2 at the end of a five-match series in Trinidad and Tobago.
Despite being young at heart at 30 years old, Powell boast extensive captaincy experience. He led Jamaica Tallawahs to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title last year in his third year in charge full-time, and also captained Jamaica to the Regional Super50 title in 2022. He has previously deputised for West Indies in three One-day Internationals (ODIs) and one T20I.
A month after taking the reins, Powell saw West Indies to a 2-1 series win over South Africa, and they followed that up with a 3-2 victory over India in August.
With their latest success coming against reigning World champions England, Powell said it provides a significant boost in confidence, as West Indies continued their preparation for next year’s T20 showpiece.
Powell has won eight of his 13 matches in charge while averaging 36 with the bat – well above his career average of 25.
“It also gives us confidence [and] confidence for me personally. I try to lead and lead from the front. Once I’m doing what I have to do as a batter first, then the captaincy will take care of itself,” the soft-spoken Jamaican shared.
“I realise as a captain once you’re doing your job, then your decision-making becomes sharper, you don’t second guess yourself when you come under pressure,” he added.
Meanwhile, Powell’s compatriot Andre Russell, also endorsed his leadership.
“I support him a hundred per cent. As the captain, even though he looks up to me, I’m not going to tell him ‘Ok, you need to do this, and you have to do this.’ I respect him as a leader and he’s been doing tremendously so far for the team and for himself,” Russell said.
“I think the confidence he has as a captain and as a player batting-wise, then working with his instinct, [making] bowling changes, making crucial decisions. He managed us as bowlers very well, so hats off to him for that. I don’t need to say much to him – he’s doing a good job,” the electrifying all-rounder added.
Alzarri Joseph suspended for two matches following on-field incident in ODI match against England
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has imposed a two-match suspension on West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph following an on-field incident during the third CG United ODI against England at Kensington Oval, Barbados.
The incident, which took place during the fourth over of England's innings, sparked discussion among players and fans alike. Joseph appeared visibly frustrated with a field placement decision, leading to a disagreement with captain Shai Hope. After taking the wicket of Jordan Cox, caught behind on the fourth ball, Joseph chose not to celebrate with his teammates, instead walking back to his mark without any acknowledgment of the dismissal. His frustration escalated as he left the field unannounced at the end of the over, leaving West Indies to begin the fifth over with only ten players.
CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasized the importance of professionalism, stating, “Alzarri's behavior did not align with the core values that Cricket West Indies upholds. Such conduct cannot be overlooked, and we have taken decisive action to ensure the gravity of the situation is fully acknowledged."
Joseph’s actions also drew criticism from head coach Daren Sammy, who voiced his concerns in an interview with TalkSPORT. Sammy described the behavior as “unacceptable,” underscoring his commitment to fostering a positive team culture. "Behavior like that is unacceptable on my cricket field," Sammy said. "We will be friends… but in the culture I'm trying to build, that’s unacceptable. We will definitely have a chat about that.”
Reflecting on the incident, Joseph issued a public apology, expressing regret for his actions. "I recognize that my passion got the best of me. I have personally apologized to Captain Shai Hope and my teammates and management. I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans—I understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused.”
CWI remains committed to promoting a culture of respect, integrity, and discipline within the West Indies cricket team, both on and off the field. Joseph’s suspension serves as a reminder of these core values and reinforces CWI's dedication to professionalism for all players representing West Indies cricket.
Cricket Victoria confirms squad for Global Super League
Cricket Victoria has unveiled a formidable squad for the upcoming ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), set to debut at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence from November 26 to December 7. With the lure of a $1 million prize, five international franchises – the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hampshire Hawks, Lahore Qalandars, Rangpur Riders, and Victoria – will compete in a series of 11 T20 matches. Cricket Victoria's squad, brimming with a mix of seasoned internationals and promising talent, will aim to make a mark in this inaugural tournament.
Leading the charge for Victoria will be top-order stalwart Jon Wells, whose experience will be invaluable in high-stakes moments. Joining him is USA international Corey Anderson, known for his powerful hitting and versatility. English batsman Joe Clarke and West Indies wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton add further strength to the lineup, bringing their unique skill sets to an already diverse team.
Adding to the international flair, Victoria will feature a trio of USA players: all-rounder Sanjay Krishnamurthi, off-spinner Karima Gore, and fast bowler Juanoy Drysdale, each poised to showcase their T20 prowess on the global stage. Also rounding out the squad are pace options David Moody and Max Birthesal, alongside wicketkeeper Scott Edwards and emerging talents Blake McDonald, Farzan Chowna, Carmi Le Roux, and Callum Stow.
With a tight schedule of group-stage matches ahead, Cricket Victoria is setting its sights on finishing in the top two to earn a place in the final on December 7. In this first-ever GSL tournament, they’ll have to battle through a talented field to compete for the title and the considerable prize, hoping to cement their place in GSL history.
Harpy Eagles left frustrated by weather once again in Super50 Cup no-result against Scorpions
Guyana Harpy Eagles were forced to settle for another frustrating no-result in the CG United Super50 Cup as persistent rain at Queen's Park Oval halted their match against Jamaica Scorpions on Thursday.
It’s the second time this season that the Harpy Eagles seemed well on their way to victory, only to have weather derail their efforts. This time, the Scorpions were struggling at 162-6 after 41.3 overs when the rain made its appearance, leaving the match unfinished and denying the Harpy Eagles a chance to secure another much-needed win.
Captain John Campbell’s 53 and Jermaine Blackwood’s unbeaten 63 provided the only notable contributions in the Scorpions innings, as a steady performance from the Harpy Eagles’ bowlers kept them in check.
Campbell’s 65-ball knock had three fours and two sixes, while a watchful Blackwood faced 91 balls in his unbeaten knock, which included six boundaries, but things seemed well-poised for another potential Harpy Eagles victory before the weather had the final say. Ashmead Nedd took 2-23 from 10 overs.
This follows another contest earlier in the campaign against Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, where the Harpy Eagles were in command before rain played spoilsport.
Still, the former champions remain firmly in contention for a semi-final berth, as this no-result moved them to third place on the table with 28 points. Trinidad and Tobago Red Force currently lead with 37 points, followed closely by Barbados Pride with 31.
Meanwhile, Leeward Islands Hurricanes slipped to fourth with 27 points, while the Scorpions sit in fifth with 25 points. West Indies Academy (16 points), Windward Islands Volcanoes (10 points), and Combined Campuses and Colleges (10 points) complete the table.
Despite the setbacks, the Harpy Eagles should still fancy their semi-final chances and, by extension, their chances to lift the Super50 Cup title for the first time since 2005. Like the Scorpions and others, they will be hoping that they can avoid the unpredictable weather to possibly secure positive results in their remaining matches.
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