We need to start well in Super 50 – Coley

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January 25, 2021

Photo

FILE Scorpions players Oshane Thomas and Rovman Powell celebrate the dismissal Monank Patel of the USA during the Group B match of the Windies Super50 Cup on Monday, October 8, 2018, at Kensington Oval.

Andre Coley

Jamaica Scorpions head coach Andre Coley says a good start is key to the team's overall performance at this year's regional Super 50 tournament, which bowls off in Antigua on February 4.

The Scorpions, who will be led once again by Rovman Powell, will bow into action on February 9 against a strong Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) Red Force team in a day-night encounter.

With less-than-ideal preparations heading into the tournament, the Scorpions are hoping that the team can gel quickly and bank on their experience to give them a good start on the return of regional franchise cricket.

"With the Super 50 being a shortened version this season with only five preliminary-round games guaranteed, it is very important that we start well, and we believe we have put together a squad that can help us to do well and give us the chance of winning the championship," said Coley.

The Scorpions have made a few changes from their last campaign, with pacers Nicholson Gordon and Marquino Mindley missing out, along with spinner Christopher Lamont, Grenadian wicketkeeper Denis Smith and Guyanese Assad Fudadin, who have returned to their respective franchises.

In comes batsmen Brandon King, Paul Palmer Jr, wicketkeeper Romaine Morris, along with left-arm spinner Jeavor Royal and pacers Sheldon Cottrell and Odean Smith, who represented the T&T Red Force last season.

"It was a tough call in some instances, where some players would have been left out. With not a lot of competitive cricket and also the fact that we weren't able to play practice games, it is about how quickly we can gel when we get to Antigua. We have about seven days before our first game, so we are looking to put everything together, and everybody is ready to go and very eager to play," added Coley.

Jamaica Scorpions Super 50 Squad

Rovman Powell (captain); Derval Green (Vice captain); Aldaine Thomas; Oshane Thomas; Brandon King; Paul Palmer Jnr; Fabian Allen; Jamie Merchant; Jeavor Royal; Odean Smith; Sheldon Cottrel; Dennis Bulli; Javelle Glenn; Romaine Morris; and Andre McCarthy.