As reigning champions Jamaica Scorpions named their 14-member squad for the 2023 Regional Super50 Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, Head Coach Andrew Richardson says the batting performance will go a long way in determining how well the team does.

Richardson told the Jamaica Observer that while defending the title is the straightforward desire, his focus is more on streamlining the processes to achieve this objective.

“You scale the mountain from the bottom to the top. So we know the position coming out of the last Super50 and we want to give quality account of ourselves. And as long as we play the way we know how to, and as I keep saying in regional cricket, as long as we bat well we will always do well,” he explained.

The Scorpions squad for this season’s title defence is to be led by West Indies Twenty20 Captain Rovman Powell, who was also at the helm for the 2022 Super50 campaign.

The only newcomer to the Scorpions set-up is left-arm swing bowler Shalome Parnell.

Richardson said Parnell, who is also a capable and effective hard-hitting batsman, could be a difference-maker at the tournament.

“Shalome has been producing good numbers in every form of local cricket. He’s a very skilful bowler, a very deceptive bowler, and possesses match-winning qualities,” the head coach said.

Young West Indies batsman Kirk McKenzie and former Jamaica youth player Brad Barnes are also included in the squad. Both have never played 50-over cricket for the Jamaica franchise.

The Scorpions are scheduled to open their title defence against Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on October 18.

— Sanjay Myers