We have to back Chadwick – Powell

Jamaica Tallawahs captain Rovman Powell says the team will continue to back out-of-form batsman Chadwick Walton as the right-hander continues to struggle with the bat in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Walton registered his third duck in this year's tournament, when he went the first ball off left-arm spinner Akiel Hosein, as the Tallawahs went down by 19 runs to the Trinbago Knight Riders in match number 21 in the competition yesterday.

The former Combined Campuses and Colleges batsman has, over the years, been a prolific scorer in the CPL but he is having a torrid time with the willow this season scoring only 14 runs in seven innings with a top score of 10.

The right-hander, who has only faced 28 balls in the tournament to date, is averaging an embarrassing two runs. However, first-year skipper Rovman Powell says the team will more than likely persist with the opener as there is not much more to offer on the bench.

Mental strength

"To be honest, when we look at our squad, we still have to back Chadwick (Walton) and just hope that he comes good at some point. Now is the business end of the competition and, hopefully, he has the mental strength to pull through," said Powell in the post-game interview.

Powell isn't the only one who believes in Walton's ability, as head coach Floyd Reifer said in an interview with The Gleaner recently that Walton has the pedigree to deliver when the time comes.

Walton isn't the only Tallawahs batsman that has been struggling to get runs, as captain Powell himself is having a woeful time out in the middle, averaging just 9.42 runs with the bat. Powell has only amassed 66 runs in seven innings with a top score of 26. Pakistani batsman Asif Ali has also flattered to deceive, scoring just 109 runs in seven innings at an average of 18.16.

Only wicketkeeper Glenn Phillips has shown any real form with the willow, scoring 248 runs in seven innings with two half-centuries. Andre Russell, who hit an unbeaten 50 against the Knight Riders yesterday, is the next best batsman in the squad with 166 runs in five innings.

The Tallawahs will be hoping for victory on tomorrow's General Election day when they face their next assignment against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.