Powell to Bat for T&T

Jamaica and West Indies middle-order batsman Ricardo Powell will represent Trinidad and Tobago in next season's Carib Beer Regional series.

Powell is awaiting confirmation from the local Board but will line-up in tomorrow's trial game. According to Rambhai Patel, administrative manager and executive member of the TTCB, the 25-year-old Powell wrote an official letter to the local Board stating his intentions to represent this country in the up-coming regional tournament.

Powell is married to a local resident and has been living in Trinidad since 2002. He has represented Queen?s Park Cricket Club in the Carib National League and Sunday League Limited Overs 2003 competitions.

Patel said that the local Board has written the West Indies Cricket Board seeking guidance and clarification on the matter.

Powell trained with the local squad yesterday at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva.

The hard hitting right-handed batsman, who has appeared in 79 One-Day Internationals for the West Indies, confirmed his intentions.

"I am willing to play for Trinidad and Tobago if selected," Powell revealed.

The Jamaican was selected on the Shazam Babwah team to oppose a side which will be skippered by Imran Jan in a trial match scheduled for Thursday.

Newly-appointed coach David Williams had his first stint with the team since his appointment was ratified on Monday by the TTCB.

The Trinidad & Tobago side opens the Carib Beer Cup tournament against the Leeward Islands at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, beginning January 9. The 13-man squad is expected to be named on Sunday.