Gayle, Sarwan will be missed – Powell

The Jamaica Tallawahs will begin a new era without some of their past influential figures when they bow into action in the 2020 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tomorrow.

Tallawahs captain Rovman Powell says the absence of Chris Gayle and assistant coach Ramnaresh Sarwan will be a 'big blow' for the Jamaican franchise, who will be gunning for their third title in the regional T20 tournament.

Powell told the Trinidad Newsday that the new-look team will be looking to erase the memories of the past season, as well as the preseason squabble that had cast a shadow on the two-time CPL champions.

"To lose Chris first is a big loss, but even to lose Sarwan also is a big loss, but we got to be professional about it. We have to put our best foot forward nevertheless and just come out and play good cricket.

"This is a very important year with regard to Tallawahs. It is no secret that we did not perform well last year, so this year we are definitely looking to change that. But yeah, those guys are a big loss," said Powell.

NEW-LOOK UNIT

The Tallawahs will have a new-look unit as well as back-room staff for the amended tournament which will feature 33 games across two venues in Trinidad, starting today.

Apart from Gayle and Sarwan, former coach Donovan Miller has moved over to the St Lucia Zouks, while former manager Andrew Richardson is now a part of the Barbados Tridents set-up.

Current CEO Jeff Miller has now assumed the role of manager, with Barbadian Floyd Reifer being appointed the new coach.

With Powell, Andre Russell, Chadwick Walton and long-standing wicket-keeper Glenn Phillips leading the batting charge, Powell believes the new acquisitions, including Sandeep Lamichhane of Nepal along with pacers Fidel Edwards, Preston McSween and Carlos Brathwaite, can put up a good showing in this year's tournament.

"It is a pretty good bowling attack. It is no secret; as I said before, we struggled last year, and this year we try to fix the bowling aspect of things so that we can better that."

Tallawahs ended last year's tournament last among the six teams, with only two wins in 10 matches.