Powell happy with five
published: Saturday | July 23, 2005

Powell

KANDY, Sri Lanka (CMC):

WEST INDIES fast bowler Daren Powell uttered a huge sigh of relief when he completed a Test-best bowling performance in the second and final cricket Test against Sri Lanka yesterday.

The 27-year-old Powell, playing his 12th Test in a chequered career, collected five wickets for 25 runs from 13.1 overs to help West Indies dismiss Sri Lanka for 150 in their first innings. It was Sri Lanka's lowest total against West Indies in Tests.

"I have been trying to take five wickets for West Indies for the longest time, and it seemed that I was putting too much pressure on myself," Powell told CMC CricketPlus.

"Coming into this match, I spoke with the coach at length, and before the start of play, I also had a quick chat with Ian Bishop, the former West Indies fast bowler, and they both told me that I should just go out there, bowl, and enjoy myself.

"I have also learnt a lot from my experiences in recent matches, and I am glad that I could come into this match to make it count."

NO EASY ROAD

It has not been an easy road for Powell, who earned a recall to the West Indies team for the home series against South Africa and Pakistan, after a strong performance in this year's Carib Beer 2005 Series.

He has been guilty of not being able to sustain his pace for a second spell, but he has admits that he has been working on it.

"It has a lot to do with a lack of upper body strength," he said. "The coaching staff has detected the problem that I had for a very long time, and did not seem to know what was happening."

He added: "I have passed every fitness test, but to go out there, and bowl a second spell with the same vigour I did the first spell, it was lacking. The coaches however, believe it has a bit to do with a lack of upper body strength.

"It's coming along, and I'm happy with the way things are going, although it's not exactly where the coaching staff would like for it to be."

Powell however, will have to bat with the same kind of purpose that he bowled, after West Indies crashed to 92 for five when stumps were drawn.

"Narsingh Deonarine and Denesh Ramdin are looking good at the crease right now, and I know they have the capacity to make big scores," he said.

"I am hoping that they can concentrate hard and fight their way through the first session on Saturday at least, and that they can give us the base for a good total, but I will just try to put my best foot forward, and see what I can do with the bat."

West Indies trail the two-Test series 1-0, after losing the first Test at Colombo's Singhalese Sports Club by six wickets.