Marshall praying for CPL chance

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Sidelined West Indies opener Xavier Marshall says he will be praying that his name will be one of those that will be chosen during the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 tournament player draft.

The draft, which will take place in Jamaica next Wednesday, will see Marshall and several other regional and international players being put on auction as the six regional franchise teams seek to complete their 15-member squads.

"I hope I will get in," said Marshall. "The draft is one thing, but to actually be selected is another, and, as such, I am waiting, and hoping and praying, for the best," he added.

The draft, which will also see the names of the various franchise teams being officially unveiled, will see Marshall being placed in one of three pools of players.

He will be in Pool B the same as fellow Jamaican West Indies players such as Carlton Baugh Jr, Nikita Miller, Jerome Taylor, Danza Hyatt, Krishmar Santokie, Brenton Parchment and David Bernard Jr.

The other pools, A and C, will feature other established regional and international players, and Under-23 players, respectively.

Other notable Jamaicans that will feature in the draft include the experienced Tamar Lambert, Odean Brown Andrew Richardson, and young players Nkrumah Bonner, Andre McCarthy, and Jermaine Blackwood.

Retired West Indies batsman Wavell Hinds has also been listed among the draftees.

The selection of players, in the meantime, will be done by the respective franchise teams selection panels, which will include their head coach, assistant coach and regional and international iconic franchise players.

RE-ESTABLISHING HIMSELF

Marshall, who has been in and out of the national team, in the meanwhile, said getting an opportunity to play in the tournament would help him to try and re-establish himself.

"I did not play out all the games for Jamaica this season. I only played one four-day and two one-dayers and then I got dropped," said the 27-year-old.

"So I would say my career is kind of down right now.

"But if I get selected it would be another opportunity to show my ability.

"I know that I am an attacking player, especially when it comes on to 50 overs and Twenty20.

"In fact I set a record of the most sixes, 13, in a Twenty20 innings of 165 not out when the West Indies played Canada a few years a back.

"And, that record stood until last year when Shane Watson broke it against Bangladesh," he explained.

The CPL will bowl off on July 30 and end on August 24.