Powell hopes to recover in time for India, Afghanistan tours
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – All-rounder Rovman Powell says he expects to make a return to full fitness in time to be available for West Indies’ upcoming series against Afghanistan and India starting next month.
The Jamaican sustained an abdominal strain nearly four weeks ago while representing Jamaica Tallawahs in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League, and was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament.
With rehabilitation at an advanced stage, however, Powell believes he can contend for a place on the limited overs squads.
“I am basically fit now, and those tours are at the ending of the month, so I still have some time to do some work, which I have already started doing,” Powell told the Gleaner newspaper here.
“I did well against India recently, so I am looking forward to go down in India and doing well also because the [T20] World Cup is coming up, and everybody is eyeing that also.”
West Indies are scheduled to face Afghanistan in a Test, three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals in India from November 5 to December 1.
The Caribbean side then take on India in three ODIs and three T20Is from December 6-22.
Powell featured in only four CPL matches before pulling up hurt. Playing against Trinbago Knight Riders at Sabina Park, he struck a six off left-arm spinner Khary Pierre but then collapsed in pain and took no further part in the contest.
The 26-year-old, who has played 34 ODIs and 23 T20Is, said the rest and treatment had accelerated his recovery and he has resumed training without any complications.
“To be honest, it has come along very well,” he explained.
“I am very close to being fully fit because every day of the week, I am getting treatment, so in another week, I will be good.
“It was a very painful injury, but the pain and everything have gone now [that] I have started to train.”