Blackwood to lead Scorpions in Regional Super50

Veteran batsman Jermaine Blackwood has been named to lead a 16-member Jamaica Scorpions squad for the upcoming Regional Super50 tournament which starts this weekend.

The Scorpions are scheduled to play regional teams Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Windward Volcanoes, Leeward Hurricanes and Barbados Pride in Antigua with the team set to arrive in Antigua on October 27 and the series running until November 19.

The Gleaner understands that Rovman Powell, who was named vice-captain, is expected to take over the reins when Blackwood departs with the West Indies team to Australia.

Four members of the West Indies team who were part of the ICC T20 World Cup squad have also been named in the Andrew Richardson-coached squad.

They are Brandon King, Powell, Odean Smith and Sheldon Cottrell. The squad is completed by batsmen Chadwick Walton, Alwyn Williams, Nkrumah Bonner, and Andre McCarthy. The remaining fast bowlers in the squad are Marquino Mindley and Nicholson Gordon. The spin department will be handled by Jamie Merchant, Dennis Bulli, Jeavor Royal and the returning off-spinner Peat Salmon while Aldane Thomas will do wicketkeeping duties.

Head coach Richardson says the addition of the West Indies players will bolster the already talented squad.

“The guys coming from the international level should be positive for our squad as some of them are in good form. We are hoping that they will dominate at this level and add value to a squad that already has quality players. It is all about gelling as a unit and executing our plans,” said Richardson.

Richardson also spoke about new captain Blackwood who has been given the nod to kick-start the tournament.

“Blackwood is not new to leadership, he has been the vice-captain for the West Indies Test side for some time. He has done well in all the practice games and has certainly earned the respect of all the players in the squad.”

The former Windward Islands coach, who will have Nikita Miller as his assistant, says he is hoping that his batting unit can come up trumps in this year’s tournament.

“We have played five practice games and in each game our batsmen have looked better. Usually in this competition, the team that bats well generally goes deep and does well in the competition. As long as we bat well, we expect good results,” Richardson said.

Jamaica Scorpions Super50 squad:

Jermaine Blackwood (captain), Rovman Powell (vice-captain), Aldaine Thomas, Brandon King, Marquino Mindley, Nicholson Gordon, Chadwick Walton, Jamie Merchant, Alwyn Williams, Nkrumah Bonner, Dennis Bulli, Andre McCarthy, Jeavor Royal, Peat Salmon, Odean Smith, Sheldon Cottrell.