Scorpions target Super50 title

Newly appointed Jamaica Scorpions head coach André Coley has been mandated by the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) hierarchy to bring home the Super50 Cup and end the national team’s eight-year limited-over trophy drought.

Speaking at a press briefing at Sabina Park yesterday, Coley said that his team has all the attributes to lift the title, however, consistency would be the key factor throughout the November 6 - December 1 tournament.

“We have a good balance in our squad this year with a strong batting and bowling unit, we have a solid core in the middle order with the likes of Jermaine Blackwood, André McCarthy, Nkrumah Bonner, and captain Rovman Powell, plus we have containment and wicket-taking potential in our bowling, so we should give a good account of ourselves,” said Coley.

Since beating Trinidad & Tobago to lift the title back in the 2011-2012 season, Jamaica have not tasted victory in the shorter format of the game, and Coley is hoping that the hard work put in throughout the last six weeks, will bring success once again.

“I am quite satisfied with the work that we have put in. The mood in the camp is positive, and we have worked hard on all rudiments of the game. We made sure that we simulated a lot of our practice sessions because we will be playing four day games, and four day-night games so we are well prepared, and it is only a matter of executing our plans to on the day,” added Coley.

READY TO LEAD

Newly appointed captain Rovman Powell, who will be leading the team for the first time, says he has shrugged off an injury that he picked up during the Caribbean Premier League and is ready to lead the charge.

“This year feels like a championship year. I know there is the added pressure to win, but I am confident with this bunch that we can deliver. I have been through a lot this year coming off two injuries. It has definitely been a struggle, but I am about 85-90 per cent ready physically, but mentally, I will be relying on the confidence that I have gained when I led the West Indies team against Bangladesh last year,” said Powell.

In the meantime, JCA CEO Courtney Francis told reporters that former captain Nikita Miller will travel with the squad as Coley’s assistant, however, the franchise will soon be advertising for a permanent assistant coach in the coming weeks.

The Scorpions will wrap up their Super50 preparations with a squad match on Friday before departing for St Kitts on Monday, ahead of their opening Group A match against Barbados on November 7.

Group A is completed by Leeward Islands, Combined Campuses and Colleges, and Canada.