CPL 2016, Match 2: Guyana Amazon Warriors take on home boys St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) will take on the CPL newbies St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (SKN) tomorrow at the Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts. The contest will be between potential favourites of the tournament versus an underrated side. Warriors have been two-time finalists in this competition and by far the most consistent team in the competition’s history. They will surely want to make this season count and get off to a winning start.

The St Kitts and Nevis, on the other hand, are only one season old. The side which replaced Antigua Hawkbills in the tournament finished badly at the last spot despite having some a good squad. This time around, they will be better prepared for the challenge. In short, The Warriors are an established side while the Patriots look very potent on paper. Therefore, plainly speaking, it will be tough predict a favourite in between both the sides.

Guyana Amazon Warriors: 

The Guyana Amazon Warriors made a good decision of roping in the New Zealand opener Martin Guptill. He will shoulder the leadership responsibility and will also be a key batsman. Their batting department also has hard hitters Dwayne Smith and Chris Lynn at the top, making their batting order look very brutal. Local names Assad Fudadin, Christopher Barnwell and Rayad Emrit are also very productive.

he side has three proper wicket keeper in their side – Anthony Bramble, Steven Katwaroo and world cup winning star under-19 Shimron Hetmyr. The bowling department also looks solid. Krishmar Santokie and Sohail Tanvir are established names in this format. Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul and the rising Adam Zampa make the spin bowling department exciting.

Probable XI:

Martin Guptill, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Assad Fudadin, Christopher Barnwell, Rayad Emrit. Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo, Krishmar Santokie, Sohail Tanvir, Ali Khan

Squad: Sohail Tanvir, Martin Guptill (captain), Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Devendra Bishoo, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Ali Khan, Shimron Hetmyer

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots:

New Zealand’s explosive opener Faf du Plessis, their marquee player, will be leading the side.  This team had a very poor debut in the CPL last year, finishing last in the league stages. But, this season can be different. To start with, they have a very exciting squad with the right mix of experience and young blood. Lendl Simmons, Brad Hodge, Thisara Perera along with the skipper himself will shoulder the burden of the side.

Whereas, promising rising names like Carlos Braithwaite, Tabraiz Shamsi, Nikhil Dutta and Alzarri Joseph will be x-factors. World’s No.1 T20 spinner Samuel Badree will also be a key man in determining the success of the team. On paper, there is enough firepower in the squad to create a storm in the tournament.

Talking about the line-up for tomorrow’s game, Lendl Simons and Evin Lewis will be the preferred choice as openers. Coming at number three will be Jonathan Carter. The experienced Faf du Plessis, Brad Hodge will look after the core of the batting order. The hard-hitting pair of Thisara Perera  and Carlos Braithwaite will take up the all-rounders slot most likely.

The mercurial Tino Best will lead the pace bowling department. Krishmar Santokie and the young Alzarri Joseph are the other seam bowling options. Their spin bowling arsenal is perhaps the best among other squad. They have the world No.1 Samuel Badree along with the highly unpredictable duo for Nikhil Dutta and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Probable XI: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Jonathan Carter,  Faf du Plessis, Brad Hodge, Thisara Perera, Carlos Braithwaite, Tino Best, Samuel Badree, Tabraiz Shamsi, Alzarri Joseph/Krishmar Santokie

Squad: Lendl Simmons, Faf du Plessis (captain), Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite, Brad Hodge, Thisara Perera, Jonathan Carter, Krishmar Santokie, Evin Lewis, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kieran Powell, JJ Smuts, Devon Thomas, Shamarh Brooks, Tino Best, Jeremiah Louis, Nikhil Dutta, Alzarri Joseph

Match timings:

Match starts at 1am BST (Local) and 5.30 (India).

Pitch and Conditions:

The Warner Park is a relatively small ground which promises a high scoring game. The pitch offers assistance to both seamers and spinners. The weather will be bright and sunny with a maximum of 31 degrees temperature.