Daren Powell withdraws from Jamaica squad

West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell has withdrawn from Jamaica's squad for the rest of the regional first-class season, according to Nehemiah Perry, the Jamaica Cricket Association's chairman of selectors. Powell, who has managed just two wickets in two matches at 73.00 in the tournament so far, called Perry and cited "personal reasons" behind his decision.

"He has some issues where he is not up to it [playing cricket]," Perry told the Jamaica Observer. "He is not giving 100% and he figures he should give someone else a chance. His mind is not there to really come out and train and play the game and he's not motivated to perform at the highest level.

"He has decided to take a break and won't be available for the rest of the season. It's not a situation where he got dropped or anything. He's not enjoying cricket anymore as a person. The team spirit is good, but he has things to deal with and his mind is not there. He probably lacks confidence as well."

Powell, 31, last played a Test in March last year, at home against England, and has a modest career haul of 85 wickets from 37 matches at 47.85. He also has 71 ODI wickets from 55 matches at 31.73. Perry said the dimming hopes of a recall to the national setup could have also contributed towards his decision.

"He hasn't been getting a lot of wickets in any one innings and he's over 30 and he probably isn't motivated and doesn't think West Indies' [selectors] are looking at him anymore," Perry said. "If you are 20-odd years old and running in hard and hitting the pitch then you would be motivated to train hard and work hard, but he's been there and done that and people might be thinking he has passed his best."

Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert expressed surprise at Powell's decision. "The team was a little bit surprised to hear that Powell has opted out," he told the Jamaica Gleaner. "But having said that, people come and people go and everyone realise that we still have a job to do and we will just have to do it to the best of our ability. We cannot allow that to distract us from our goal.

"He will definitely be missed as an experienced player. It was always good to have him around, having represented the West Indies and Jamaica on numerous occasions. He is a strike bowler and it was always good to have a player like that, who will bowl fast and get us early wickets.

"He is someone that always gives 100 per cent. You can't not notice a person like Daren when he is around."