Dream team Jamaica Tallawahs banking on veterans for CPL 2019

The Jamaica Tallawahs franchise will be looking to their top- brass players to take the team all the way in the 2019 edition of the Caribbean Premier League.

Following the player draft in London yesterday, The Tallawahs believe they have more depth in batting than previous seasons, according to team manager Andrew Richardson.

“We are happy with the selections we have made this year, and we think that the 17 players we have selected can do the job for us. I am superexcited about our batting unit this season, which has a lot of world-class players, experienced performers and youthful talent”

Richardson made mention that the batting firepower should count for a lot this season as the Tallawahs welcome the return of the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle as well as 2017 leading run scorer Chadwick Walton.

“Getting Chris (Gayle) and Chadwick (Walton) back is a major boost for us, but we must not forget our leading run scorer from last season, Glenn Phillips, as well as Rovman Powell. These guys are proven match winners, and we expect big things from them this season.”

Best bowling figures

One new face in the Tallawahs squad is slow left-arm Chinaman bowler Zahir Khan from Afghanistan. The 20-year-old has picked up 36 wickets in 27 games for Afghanistan with best bowling figures of 5 for 19.

Richardson made mention that he would have loved to have had one of the marquee spinners in his squad.

“When you look around world T20 and the leagues around the world, all the good teams have a world-class match-winning leg- spinner. We would have loved to have a bowler the likes of Rashid Khan or Fawad Ahmed, but we believe that young Khan can do some good things for us this season.”

Another new inclusion for the Tallawahs is right arm fast medium bowler Amad Butt, from Pakistan, and New Zealand all-rounder George Worker.

Also new to the Jamaica franchise this year are Jamaican left-arm spinner Christopher Lamont, off-spinner Rammal Lewis, medium pacer Derval Green, and batsman Javelle Glen. Barbadian all-rounder Shamar Springer and Trinidad & Tobago right arm leg spinner Imran Khan.

Former Windies and Jamaica opening batsman Xavier Marshall, who now represents the USA, has also been picked as the ICC Americas player.

The team will be coached this year by UK-based Jamaican Donavan Miller, who takes over the reins from New Zealander Mark O’Donnell. Ramnaresh Sarwan will act as Miller’s deputy.