KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – All-rounder Rovman Powell is hoping to make the most of his second chance after being recalled for the three-match One-Day International tour of Sri Lanka later this month.
The 26-year-old has not played an ODI in 14 months, dropped after ironically captaining West Indies on the tour of Bangladesh in December 2018, when then skipper Jason Holder was ruled out injured.
After overcoming an abdominal strain sustained in the Caribbean Premier League last September, Powell scored heavily in the Super50 Cup two months later, smashing two hundreds and two fifties in plundering over 400 runs at an average of 58.
“To be honest, I feel good because a lot of hard work have gone into getting back and I think this is just the reward,” Powell told the Gleaner newspaper here.
“I went to the Super50 where I scored two centuries and so it is a good feeling to know that the hard work that you have done, you are rewarded for it.”
He added: “To be honest, I wasn’t totally surprised because the selectors have placed emphasis on scoring runs and scoring centuries and once you do that then, they will find a place for you.”
Powell’s record in the ODI format is a modest one, averaging just under 24 with the bat from 34 games, with a single hundred and a couple of half-centuries.
However, he looked an improved player during the Super50 Cup with quick-fire hundreds against Canada and Leeward Islands Hurricanes, and believes he can be an asset with bat and ball for West Indies on the February 17 to March 1 tour.
“I am just trying to put my best foot forward and trying to scoring runs whenever I get the opportunity and get wickets whenever I get the chance,” the Jamaican said
“I think I have learned to bat a little better and I think I have come a long way in regard to that and it is just up to me now to take the experience and [shore up] a spot in the team.”
Powell returned to the West Indies Twenty20 squad last month against Ireland after missing the tour of the subcontinent late last year.