BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Jamaica Tallawahs will have to do without key all-rounder Rovman Powell for the rest of the Caribbean Premier League after he was ruled out through injury.
The big-hitting right-hander, who also bowls medium pace, limped out of last Friday’s contest against two-time reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders, after hitting a six and then collapsing while holding his rib cage.
He was subsequently diagnosed with an abdominal strain.
Powell has been replaced by former Barbados and West Indies all-rounder, Dwayne Smith, who made a first-ball ‘duck’ on debut in Sunday’s maiden win over Barbados Tridents at Sabina Park.
Smith is one of three players called up by Tallawahs with England seamer Jade Dernbach replacing Kennar Lewis and Jermaine Blackwood covering for star all-rounder Andre Russell who was struck by a short ball from Hardus Viljoen in the fixture against St Lucia Zouks last Thursday.
Russell was cleared of serious injury but has not played since.
Tallawahs have endured a disastrous start to their campaign, losing their first four games before breaking their slump with a four-wicket win over Tridents on Sunday.
Meanwhile, both Tridents and Zouks have also been forced to make changes to their lineups. South African Colin Ingram has joined Zouks, replacing Sri Lankan Thisara Perera who has been summoned by his national team while Tridents have brought in Australian all-rounder Dan Christian for the unavailable Asif Ali.
Tallawahs fined for slow over rate
The Jamaica Tallawahs were charged with a breach of Article 2.5 of the Hero CPL Code of Conduct – Minimum Over Rate Offences – at the end of Match 10 between themselves and the Trinbago Knight Riders on Friday at the Sabina Park.
The charge of being one (1) over down was laid by the Match Officials Team against the captain of the Tallawahs, Chris Gayle.
This was the Tallawahs’ second Minimum Overs Breach of the tournament, following the same charge being laid at the conclusion of Match 3 against the same opponents in Trinidad. As provided for at Appendix 2, Section 4.2 of the Code of Conduct, the applicable monetary fine was imposed on the captain, and the Jamaica Tallawahs team was penalized with a 0.05 reduction in their Net Run Rate.
(CMC)