Powell will help TT chances say ex-players

Former Trinidad and Tobago cricketers are welcoming Jamaican Ricardo Powell being allowed to play for Trinidad and Tobago in next year Carib Beer Cup Series regional tournament. The attacking Jamaican batsman applied to the West Indies Cricket Board to play for his adopted homeland and was given the green light. Former TT wicketkeeper batsman Derryk Murray thinks it will only strengthen the Trinidad and Tobago team. Murray said: “Powell has a good record in regional cricket and has the valuable experience in representing the West Indies team and he will be a welcome asset to the local team.

“It also increases the competition for places and now there can be no complacency among the present batsmen in the Trinidad and Tobago team.” He believes Trinidad and Tobago cricket will benefit. Former opening batsman Bryan Davis sees no problem with Powell representing TT. “This precedent has been set in the past with David Holford playing for Trinidad, Frank Worrell played for Jamaica and the current president of the WICB Teddy Joseph is a Bajan who represented Jamaica.” Davis agreed that Powell’s presence in the TT team will be a welcome addition, especially with his international experience. He added that Powell will fill the void left by some of the experienced players on duty with the West Indies team.Suruj Ragoonath, another one of TT’s former opening batsmen, is also of the opinion that Powell will enhance TT’s chances in the tournament. “Ricardo Powell will bring his international experience into a Trinidad and Tobago team that is largely inexperienced as all our top players are touring with the West Indies team,” said Ragoonath. The Alescon Comet skipper also feels that Powell will bring a different culture into the side and believes the local players can definitely learn one or two things from the Jamaican batsman.