Four to watch from CPL
Former West Indies fast bowler Tony Gray was hoping to see more new West Indian stars emerge from this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League. But he yesterday, identified four with future potential— Kamil Pooran of the St Lucia Kings, Vitel Lawes of the Jamaica Kingsmen, Jakeem Pollard of the Barbados Tridents and Joshua James of the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
Pooran’s selection came as a result of his displays opening the innings for the St Lucia Kings in what was his first season in the CPL. “What I like about Kamil Pooran is that this is his first time at this franchise level and he’s come up trumps,” Gray told the Express. “He’s averaging 39.00 in the tournament this year, he’s played eight games; he missed two games because of injury and he’s shown that he’s not intimidated by big-name players.
“Young Pollard is an excellent prospect,” he said. “He has the physicality that you want. He obviously would get stronger as he grows into his man’s strength, but he’s got pace, he has a very good bouncer, he can be intimidating.” “Joshua James has improved a lot in his bowling,” noted Gray. “It’s not illegal again and he has improved on his urgency when it comes to his run-up—too sluggish in the past—but he’s a good prospect. He could bowl faster in my opinion if he lengthens his run-up and he seems to have a lot more consistency this year and he’s learning different skills, so I definitely think that he is one for the future.”