Final game of Hero CPL 2022 competition: Tallawahs used underdog status as motivation to win CPL title, says Rovman Powell

By Brandon Corlette

Every team in every sporting activity in every part of the world has its ogre to confront. For the Jamaica Tallawahs, who finished fourth in the league stages of the Hero Caribbean Premier League tournament for 2022, but became deserving champions of that same tourney after defeating the Barbados Royals in a scintillating final game on Friday night, their ogre was disrespect, as in being considered the underdogs.

Tallawahs Head Coach Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Assistant Coach Sir Curtly Ambrose

According to Tallawahs captain Rovman Powell, the team used that ‘disrespect’ as a motivation to win a third CPL title. Powell, who is also the West Indies vice-captain, noted that the guys were hungry to win.
“Adjectives cannot describe how I feel right now. We endured a lot of disrespect throughout the tournament, so to be here now is amazing. We used the ‘disrespect’ that we endured as motivation. We were hungry, the guys were very hungry,” Powell said.
“I told them to hang in, and we have a lot of batters and we can ‘get it’. The first 100 that Brandon scored, it was in a losing cause, and so the guys felt really hurt that it was in a losing cause, but we told the guys that’s what ‘big boy’ cricket is about. So, to see Brooks score a 100 the other night in a win was special.”
Powell also noted that as he continues to lead teams, he is gaining valuable experience. He has dedicated this win to the fans in Jamaica.
“I’ve captained a few teams and franchises before I captained Jamaica, so I’ve been learning. Sometimes I feel down and out because I’m human, but my family rallied around me.
“I wanna say a special thanks to the Guyanese supporters. After we beat Guyana, they could have easily turned on us, but we came out today and saw so many Guyanese supporting us,” he confessed.

King played a major role for the team, scoring more than 400 runs in a season on two occasions

“For the fans in Jamaica, you stayed with us through the dark times. This one is for you guys,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the Hero of the Tournament: Brandon King, who scored 422 runs, has said he was happy to contribute and help his team win the tournament.
“You set goals for yourself before the tournament. Number one is to win the tournament, and we did that. I’m happy to finish with the most runs. The guys trust each other to go out there and carry their roles. Brooks came out and took control early, when I was struggling, but I was happy to be out there to help finish it off,” he said.
“I’m extremely happy that we won this year. There’s no special formula, just work hard and believe in your abilities. Confidence goes a long way. The team is amazing. Everyone believes in each other.”
Guyanese and West Indies Legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul has described the victory as fantastic for him, since this is the first major tournament he has coached and won. While he achieved a lot in his career, he has ranked this championship win as the apex of his achievements.
“We have a very good team, and we stepped up when we were called upon at the big times,” Chanderpaul has said.
Legendary West Indies pace bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose has also said he is delighted with the win, since no one had given the Tallawahs a chance in this respect.
“No one gave us a chance, and here we are! Winners!” Sir Curtly declared.
Former Guyana Amazon Warriors skipper Chris Green, who played an instrumental role in his side’s win, especially at Providence, has described this win as special.
“Special! Special night! To come through the way we have on the back end, through thick and thin, is amazing,” Green has said.