After the Jamaica Kingsmen’s selection of local stars Andre Russell and Rovman Powell, former Jamaica Tallawahs spinner Nikita Miller says the franchise is making a major statement ahead of its debut in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) this summer.

After first being reported by the Jamaica Observer earlier this month, the CPL officially confirmed Jamaicans Russell and Powell as the first two selections by new owners Kingsmen Sports Enterprise in the 2026 draft.

Former West Indies all-rounder Russell rejoins the Jamaican franchise, having spent the last four seasons with defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). Russell won titles with the Tallawahs in 2013 and 2016.

West Indies Twenty20 (T20) batsman Powell, who leaves the Barbados Royals after two seasons, will captain the Kingsmen, having previously captained the Tallawahs and leading them to the 2022 title.

Miller, a former teammate of Russell and Powell, told the Observer that they will provide what he sees as a significant boost to the team this season.

“When you’re re-establishing yourself, you want somebody that the fans can relate to, and having Andre Russell and Rovman Powell — these are guys who are still playing at a high level so it’s very important for the franchise to go for these sort of players,” he said.

“I’m really happy to see them come back home, and hopefully the fans can turn out and CPL can be great again for the fans in Jamaica.”

The Observer reported that Jamaican and West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen was a possible third pick, but the Kingsmen signed West Indies and Guyanese all-rounder Keemo Paul instead.

Paul, 28, joins from the Guyana Amazon Warriors while the Falcons kept hold of Allen, who they signed in 2024 during the Tallawahs’ withdrawal from CPL. The Kingsmen also missed out on Jamaica and West Indies opener Brandon King as the Barbados Tridents triggered their right-to-match option.

However, they’ve signed several other Jamaican players to their 12-man squad so far, including Odean Smith, Kirk McKenzie, Jeavor Royal and rising star Vitel Lawes, while adding West Indies and Trinidadian batsman Keacy Carty, who won the title with Russell at TKR last year.

Miller, who won four CPL tiles, including the 2013 title with the Tallawahs, says the Kingsmen can be a title contender this season.

“The talent is there,” he said. “These are guys who have been doing well in CPL over the years and have played at IPL [Indian Premier League]-level, high-level cricket. It’s hard to tell where they will end up at the end of the tournament, but in terms of the ability and the talent that they have in the squad that I’ve seen, they have enough there to compete and to do well in the tournament.”

The Kingsmen’s full squad will be revealed in the coming weeks and will include the selection of overseas players.

They will open the CPL season on August 7 against the Falcons in St Vincent before moving to Kingston to host four games at Sabina Park from August 11 to 18.

Jamaica Kingsmen Squad (West Indies players only):

Rovman Powell (captain)

Andre Russell

Keemo Paul

Keacy Carty

Shaqkere Parris

Odean Smith

Vitel Lawes

Romaine Morris

Kirk McKenzie

Jeavor Royal

Jediah Blades

Kelvin Pitman

Former Jamaica and West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell will play for the Jamaica Kingsmen for the 2026 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season. (Photo: CPL/Jamaica Kingsmen)

Jamaica Tallawahs stars Andre Russell (left) and Rovman Powell during the 2020 CPL season. (Photo: CPL)

The Jamaican and West Indies players selected to represent the Jamaica Kingsmen for the 2026 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season (Photo: CPL/Jamaica Kingsmen)