Bridgetown, CMC: West Indies Twenty20 International captain Rovman Powell said he treasured “the lifelong friends and memories” he made while playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 tournament over the past seven years.
CPL announced on Wednesday that Powell was traded to the Barbados Royals ahead of this year’s tournament in a move that sends West Indies leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr moving in the other direction to the Tallawahs.
“It is with a heavy heart that my time with the Tallawahs has come to an end,” Powell said in a post on Instagram. “I have made life-long friends and memories I will never forget. Not least, winning two CPL titles for my home franchise, one of those as CAPTAIN, which I will always cherish.
“I’m looking forward to joining the Royals and beginning a new chapter of my CPL career. I want to thank all the players and coaches who have been part of my Tallawahs journey these last few years. Most of all, I want to thank the Jamaican fans for your support.”
Powell led the Tallawahs to their third CPL title last year and has scored 1 337 runs for the franchise based in his native Jamaica.
Walsh leaves the Royals having played for the franchise for the past four years, claiming the Player-of-the-Tournament title in his first year.
Powell becomes the latest high-profile Jamaican to leave the Tallawahs following the acrimonious departure of Chris Gayle three years ago and last season’s departure of all-rounder Andre Russell for the Trinbago Knight Riders.
The CPL Draft for this year’s tournament takes place in June, with the game set to get started on August 16 – but Jamaica will not host any matches.
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