Rovman Powell. Credit: NDTV Sports England
If you didn’t know his name before, you’re going to remember it now! Rovman Powell! What a man! What a player! What a match! #RPowell52.
Powell is the third West Indian to score a T20 International Century. His impressive knock of 107 runs, including 10 sixes from 53 balls, guided the Windies team to victory over England in the 3rd T20I on 26th January in Barbados. Can you imagine that? ESPNcric info describes him as quick between the wickets with a “brutal hitting”. Player of the Match is definitely well deserved by Powell in this historic win!
First T20I Century
The Windies team surely does not shy away from firsts. The first century, 117 runs, to be scored in a T20I came from none other than Chris Gayle in 2007 in a match against South Africa. 2016 was met with a double century by Gayle as he secured 100 runs against England.
Second T20I Century
Evin Lewis secured the second for the Windies team at 100 runs in a 2016 match against India, and a subsequent 125 in 2017 securing 7th place for most runs in an innings by batting position for that season.
Three times the charm
The Windies team seems to have gained momentum from a last minute decision that went right. NDTV Sports England reports that Powell’s selection at the match was uncertain and “he was told about his selection later in the day as West Indies were planning to split their two left-handers in the middle-order”.
Why wasn’t Powell selected initially? “Wrist spin was an issue for me in the past, but I went away and worked on it over the last 6-7 months,” he stated. Powell is the perfect depiction of being pulled back in a sling shot to be propelled forward, as this last minute decision and months of preparation improved the odds significantly.
No record making player is born without perseverance and diligence. Powell was mindful of powerful spins by great players and incorporated it within his training to lead to this historic moment. His journey has been tough being in and out of the Windies team over the past five years and this international performance not only lands him this historic record, but also the reward of dedication to his craft serving as a testament to us all.
“Powell a champion, everybody know say Powell a champion,” because indeed he is.
