BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC):
WEST INDIES T20I captain Rovman Powell has been given a ringing endorsement from veteran player, Andre Russell, following a series win over England last Thursday in Trinidad and Tobago.
“I support him a hundred per cent,” said the 35-year-old fellow Jamaican.
“As the captain, even though he looks up to me, I’m not going to tell him ‘OK, you need to do this and you have to do this’.
“I respect him as a leader and he’s been doing tremendously so far for the team and for himself.
“I think the confidence he has as a captain and as a player batting-wise, then working with his instinct, [making] bowling changes, making crucial decisions.
“He managed us as bowlers very well, so hats off to him for that. I don’t need to say much to him – he’s doing a good job.”
GAINED TRUST
Powell believes he has gained the trust of his players and believes that has contributed to his unbeaten series run since his appointment as Twenty20 captain last February.
The 30-year-old took over the helm of the squad following the sudden resignation of Nicholas Pooran, in the wake of the Caribbean side’s shambolic qualifying campaign for last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
And since his appointment, Powell has overseen series successes away to South Africa and home wins against India and England, leaving West Indies unbeaten in a series this year.
“I think I just have a good bunch of guys around me,” Powell said after West Indies beat England in the decisive fifth T20 International in Trinidad.
“I have a very good support staff and the guys respect me and they trust me and trust my judgement.
“And also, I try to lead from the front. I think as a captain, once you lead from the front, then naturally guys will follow.”
In his first series in charge, Powell presided over a 2-1 series win over the Proteas in March and followed up by overseeing a 3-2 victory over India last August before this 3-2 victory over reigning world champions England, as West Indies continued their preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup.
Powell has won eight of his 13 matches in charge while averaging 36 with the bat – well above his career average of 25.
“It also gives us confidence [and] confidence for me personally,” he said of the winning run.
“I try to lead and lead from the front. Once I’m doing what I have to do as a batter first, then the captaincy will take care of itself.
“I realise as a captain once you’re doing your job, then your decision-making becomes sharper, you don’t second-guess yourself when you come under pressure.”