CPL 2018: Match 15, Match Prediction- Who will win the match, St Lucia Stars or Guyana Amazon Warriors?

After ceasing their 14-match losing streak against Barbados Tridents, Kieron Pollard’s St Lucia Stars slumped against Chris Gayle’s St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in St Lucia. Another defeat would virtually knock them out of the event. Their next match in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is against the Shoaib Malik-captained Guyana Amazon Warriors, who have arguably been the most consistent team of the event thus far.

Apart from winning, the home team also needs to ponder over improving their Net Run Rate (-1.594). On the contrary, the Warriors’ NRR has skyrocketed and is currently +0.948. They would be looking to win their next match and stay atop the points table. In a battle of mismatches, Malik’s men are undoubtedly the firm favorites to emerge triumphant in the encounter.

Pitch

The track at  Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, has been kind to both the bowlers and the batsmen. In the last match, the Patriots bowled the Stars out for 69 runs. Guyana’s batting has been superlative and they are not likely to flounder like the hosts. The match isn’t expected to be an overly high-scoring one but has every ingredient to be exciting.

Team Combination

St Lucia Stars

The Stars have fielded 15 players thus far, which suggests that they haven’t yet found the appropriate combination, which can win matches for them consistently. The likes of Warner, Simmons, Pollard, McClenaghan, and Williams have to put their hands up and help the team arrest its slump. Qais Ahmad has been their most economical bowler but has lacked support.

Predicted XI

Andre Fletcher (wk), David Warner, Rakheem Cornwall, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard (C), Qais Ahmad, Darren Sammy, Kavem Hodge, Mitchell McClenaghan, Kesrick Williams, Obed McCoy

Guyana Amazon Warriors

The Warriors won’t be keen to tinker with their winning combination. Walton and Ronchi, their openers, would be hoping to contribute after their poor start. Shimron Hetmyer remains to be their gun batsmen. Malik has also been decent enough in the middle order. The spin duo of Imran Tahir and Chris Green along with Sohail Tanvir need to come to the party to maintain their team’s dominance.

Predicted XI

Chadwick Walton, Luke Ronchi (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Shoaib Malik (C), Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Mohammed, Chris Green, Keemo Paul, Rayad Emrit, Devendra Bishoo, Imran Tahir

Probable top performers

David Warner- St Lucia Stars, Shimron Hetmyer- Guyana Amazon Warriors

The prediction is for Guyana Amazon Warriors to win the match.