*THE CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2023- TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS VS ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS MATCH 3: PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Trinbago Knight Riders and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots had a very poor time in the last edition of the Caribbean Premier League. Thus, the goal in the 2023 edition will be to get better and compete again for the coveted trophy. Trinbago were at the last position with seven points, while St Kitts were at fifth position with eight points.
Significant improvements have been made in the batting and bowling departments with the TKR recalling the T20 champion Dwayne Bravo who picks wickets for fun and chokes oppositions at will, at the slog overs. They boast of a lineup that is extremely dangerous and has a skilled batting lineup with Russell, Pollard, Roussow and Pooran- all making the cut. Only the lords can imagine the destructive energy that they can bring together to topple the St Kitts and Newis Patriots.
Meanwhile, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have the likes of Evin Lewis, Ambati Rayudu, Dewald Brevis, Sherfane Rutherford and Yannic Cariah, among many others, who can threaten Trinbago on August 19 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet in St Lucia. They will have to be consistent, as that is one area that the team was lacking in the last edition.
*TKR PROBABLE XI:*
Martin Guptill, Chadwick Walton, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard (c), Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, Mark Deyal, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Noor Ahmad
The spinners as the surface reads can purchase turn in the latter half so expect the duo of Narine and Noor Ahmed to be a very dangerous bet on this wicket. If the nature of the pitch is such that it starts detoriating then a TKR win almost seems inevitable with these two superstars of the game operating. Despite Narine losing his ultimate charm in the format, he still continues to knock batters over and partnering him is the Afghani superstar Ahmed who bowled beautifully in tandem with the legend that Rashid is, at the Titans. The best part about Noor’s bowling is that he leaves no room for error against any one of the LHBs or the RHBs, he has been equally destructive against both and his battle against Brevis who is another young sensation is what I look forward to watching. And how can we forget the left arm underrated spinner Akeal Hossain who knows how to tie a batter down with his accuracy and simple trick of staying consistent with his lengths and lines. These three hold the potential to close the game then and there.
If we look at this side from one person to another, we can almost feel a chill down our spine but it is also this very thing that makes them an inconsistent side. All are power packed six hitting players on their day but this side holds the unwanted ability to crash down like a pack of cards because of the lack of an anchor like player who holds the innings together and allows the big hitters to go bang bang. The form of Pooran is one factor which would make CPL an interesting event, I can almost sense him assaulting the bowlers at will with compassion and strength.
*ST KITTS AND NEWIS PATRIOTS PROBABLE XI:*
Andre Fletcher, Evin Lewis, Ambati Rayudu, Dewald Brevis, Sherfane Rutherford, Joshua de Silva (wk), George Linde, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Oshane Thomas, Yannic Cariah
Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs are two of the brightest South African cricketers and are expected to play explosive knocks. It feels as if the side would pick any one of the two in the XI which is a big shame in itself given the freshness that these two bring to the set-up but if it’s Brevis, the youngster, who idolises ABD, then we have nothing but to expect some outrageous shot making from him. He has already featured in the CPL and he lacked consistency but St Kitts will be desperately in search of some quick runs rather than seeing him get to a fifty off 40 balls and then take off.
Yannic Cariah had an enjoyable outing vs India in the ODIs and should enjoy bowling to the TKR today as well, with grip being one factor that could bolster his bowling chances. He has Linde to partner him but expect the South African to be used in the powerplay to get the better off Guptill who tends to struggle vs slow spin in the initials of an innings.
Joshua De Silva who has been a mainstay keeper for Windies for quite some time in Tests has a challenge ahead of him. He needs to show his potential in the shortest format of the game as well where he has often fallen short of the radar or the ‘breaking-in’ point.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR TKR:*
Highest run getter- Nicholas Pooran/Kieron Pollard
Highest wicket taker- Akeal Hossain/Noor Ahmed
*FOR ST KITTS:*
Highest run getter- Evin Lewis/Devald Brevis
Highest wicket taker- Dominica Drakes/Yannic Cariah
*FOR THE GAME:*
TKR to win