Rovman Powell will miss West Indies’ three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan after damaging his left wrist while going for a catch against Australia in St Kitts on 26 July.
“Rovman felt immediate pain and the scans confirmed a strain that needs a couple of weeks’ rest,” Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) lead physio Denis Byam explained in a short medical update. “We are not taking any chances with a World Cup less than a year away.”
Powell, 32, sat out the final T20I against Australia and was again absent when West Indies slipped to a 14-run defeat in the opening match against Pakistan in Lauderhill on 31 July. The touring side have decided not to bring in a replacement, banking instead on the flexibility of an already enlarged squad.
Stand-in skipper Nicholas Pooran admitted the loss is significant. “It’s never ideal when one of your power-hitters is out,” he said, “but it gives somebody else the opportunity to put his hand up.”
The remaining games take place at the same Florida venue on 2 and 4 August before the teams cross to Tarouba for three one-day internationals from 8 August. Powell is unlikely to feature there either; his last ODI came back in 2023 and selectors have shown little inclination to recall him in the 50-over format.
Former West Indies opener Philo Wallace believes caution is sensible. “Wrist injuries can become niggly if you rush them. Let him heal properly – the region needs a fit Powell come next year,” he told Caribbean radio.
Powell’s absence may open the door for left-hander Sherfane Rutherford to bat higher in the order, while the all-rounder Romario Shepherd provides an extra seam-bowling option. Head coach Andre Coley suggested as much, noting that “flexibility is part of modern T20 cricket”.
Pakistan, who blended pace off-cutters and sharp fielding to good effect in the first game, will sense a chance to wrap up the series quickly. West Indies, for their part, must recalibrate without one of their cleanest strikers – a setback, but hardly terminal with two matches still to play.
