Pacer Powell deserves World Cup spot'

DARREN POWELL is the "missing" man. That's the view of Sir Everton Weekes who said he would have loved to see the young Jamaican fast bowler in the West Indies team for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.

"The team is a good one but I'm a bit disappointed at not seeing him (Powell) inthe squad," Sir Everton said.

"Most of our fast bowlers are pretty rough when they start, but with exposure they seem to do pretty well. You can go way back and look at all our top bowlers. They all started young and developed into fast bowlers of class."

The West Indies selectors picked six seam bowlers - Vasbert Drakes, Merv Dillon, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Nixon McLean and Jermaine Lawson but found no roomfor Powell.

Powell, a rhythmic 24-year-old who bowls from a high action, made his international debut against New Zealand last year. He toured India and Bangladesh and was impressive without being spectacular. He has played just a single One-Day International,and has managed 12 wickets at 29 apiece in four Tests.

He has been named among the five reserves who will join the 15 members of the World Cup squad at a camp in Antigua next week.

Sir Everton will also be in Antigua to attend the West Indies Cricket Board's cricket committee's meeting. He will also be in South Africa in March for the semi-fnals and final of the World Cup as a special guest of the United Cricket Board of South Africa.