BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Embattled West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell will play his first WICB Regional four-day match of the season as Jamaica seek to further thwart Barbados’ title hopes when they meet at Kensington Oval today.
The Jamaican speedster, whose place in the regional side remains in jeopardy after claiming just six wickets in the recent five-Test series at an average of 69.33, is one of two West Indies players returning to the side.
Left-hander Brendan Nash has also been called up for the 10th round encounter which will see Jamaica seeking to repeat their fourth round win over the Barbadians, and further extend their lead in the competition.
Twenty-year old, rookie pacer Jason Dawes and the terribly out-of-form Windies batsman Xavier Marshall have been dropped to make way for the duo.
Barbados will be boosted by the return of West Indies batsman Ryan Hinds who was their leading batsman before his call up to the regional squad.
He will be a welcome addition to the side which crashed to a shock one-wicket loss to Windward Islands at the Oval last week to fall from second to third in the championship.
Jamaica will be confident of beating their Barbadian rivals again, especially on the basis of the results in the last round.
While Jamaica humbled Trinidad & Tobago by 124 runs at Alpart Sports Club, Barbados went down to the Windwards at Kensington Oval.
