KINGSTON, (CMC):

Former West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh says he regrets not being able to retain Jamaican batsman Danza Hyatt for the Tallawahs during the recent draft for this year's Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Hyatt was grasped by the Antigua Hawkbills in Round Nine during the draft at the Triple Century Sports Bar, owned by Chris Gayle.

Walsh, who represented the Tallawahs at the draft, said Danza was a good performer for the franchise last year.

"One name we had (planned for) we didn't get was Danza Hyatt. We wanted to have him in this set-up because he did pretty well with us last year," said Walsh.

"Unfortunately, the (Antigua) Hawksbills had that pick (in Round Nine) and they stole him from under our noses."

top-order batsman

The Jamaica Tallawah held on to most members of their winning squad with the new acquisitions of batsman Adam Voges and pacer Juan 'Rusty' Theron on the recommendation of the absent pair of head coach Mickey Arthur and captain Christopher Gayle.

Voges, an Australian, is a 34-year-old top-order batsman and the lesser known Theron, 28, is a fast bowler from South Africa.

Opener Ahmed Shehzad was retained, while Sri Lankan off-spinning legend Muttiah Muralitharan remains their international franchise player (IFP) and was not a part of the draft.

"When we looked at it, we wanted an all-round squad," added Walsh.

"We wanted bowling at the death, seam bowlers to get the wickets early, batsmen who can win the game for you and spinners to give the variety in attack."

The 25-year-old all-rounder André Russell, who starred with the bat in helping the Tallawahs to victory in the 2013 edition of the tournament, was retained in Round One of the draft.

The fit-again 29-year-old fast bowler Jerome Taylor, who has shown good form since his latest return from injury, was also drafted.

The CPL T20 is slated to begin in July.

Danza Hyatt in action for the Jamaica Tallahwahs last season. - file photos