Powell began his career in international cricket at the age of 20 after topping the Jamaican averages in the 1999 Busta Cup, and quickly took center stage with an innings of 124 from 93 balls against India in Singapore. Despite the good start he soon lost his mark and was discarded from the Test side after a game in New Zealand in 1999-2000. in the current years he has worked hard and has improved his position greatly but still his place in the side is uncertain.