CPL 2020: Match 16, Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knights Riders, Preview- Warriors aim to return to the winning ways

The CPL caravan has covered half of its journey and the time for reverse fixtures has just arrived. In the second match of the day and 16th of the tournament, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will face the Trinbago Knight Riders on 27th August at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

The Knight Riders have been marching on in the tournament like an emperor and are undefeated after the 4 matches they have played. With 8 points in their kitty, they are atop the points table and have almost booked a semi-final berth. The fourth victory of their win streak came as they chased down 72 runs in 8 overs in a rain-curtailed match against St Lucia Zouks yesterday.

DJ Bravo was the destroyer-in-chief as he scalped two wickets giving just 7 runs in three overs. The age-defying wonder, Pravin Tambe, bagged a wicket as did Ali Khan and Khary Pierre. All in all, the bowlers did an exceptional job to contain the Zouks to 111 for 6 before the batsmen completed the formalities.

On the other hand, Guyana Amazon Warriors were slammed by a condescending defeat against Jamaica Tallawahs in their last match. The Warriors, unlike their name, completely surrendered against their opponents in what was a pitiable display of batting. They managed a trifling total of 108 runs at the loss of 9 wickets that was easily chased down without a hiccup by Rovman Powell’s men.

Their bowlers- Imran Tahir, Ashmead Nedd, Keemo Paul bagged a wicket apiece whereas Naveen-ul-Haq bowled well, however, the cushion given by batsman was never going to be enough. Trinbago Knight Riders have been unstoppable and bringing their run to a stop is going to take some effort. Will the Warriors be able to get the better off them? Tune in tonight to see that in an intriguing clash.

Playing combinations

Guyana Amazon Warriors

After a disappointing run with the bat, Chandrapaul Hemraj was replaced by Anthony Bramble at the top only to see another man doing what Hemraj was doing before. Brandon King has failed to make a mark either and needs to gather himself soon. Surprisingly, things have stopped working for Shimron Hetmyer, who got off to flying start.

Ross Taylor’s name is much bigger than the kind of performances he has given of late, however, with the kind of support he has got, he can’t be blamed entirely. Nicholas Pooran got some runs against the Zouks but got back to his dry ways soon. Sherfane Rutherford has been disappointing repeatedly and would want to make at least some contributions before pack-up.

In a team full of problems, Keemo Paul has done well with the ball and has taken wickets regularly apart from bowling with discipline and control. Skipper Chris Green has done too little to make himself or his team proud. Ashmead Nedd and Naveen-ul-Haq have been different than that lot and have exploited every chance that has come their way. Imran Tahir, the veteran spinner, let’s just say he can’t sit out.

Predicted XI- Brandon King, Anthony Bramble (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Ross Taylor, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Chris Green (C), Naveen-ul-Haq, Imran Tahir, Ashmead Nedd

Bench: Romario Shepherd, Jasdeep Singh, Kevin Sinclair, Kissoondath Magram, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith

Trinbago Knight Riders

The Riders have been dancing on their own song and have not much to worry about apart from Lendl Simmons’ run at the top. Sunil Narine, needless to say, is a star performer and will be seen in action after missing the last game.

The middle-order will be taken care of by Colin Munro, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, and Tim Seifert. With all three in Munro, Bravo, and Pollard getting runs against Tridents a game ago, and Seifert chipping in in the last game, no change is expected in this slot.

Dwayne Bravo, after a few cold outings, showed his worth as he bagged a couple of wickets for just 7 runs. While other bowlers in Jayden Seales, Ali Khan, and Fawad Ahmed have already been contributing through regular wickets and economic bowling. Khary Pierre has also utilized the limited chances well and has done well to bring his economy under check.

Predicted XI- Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard (C), Tim Seifert (WK), Dwayne Bravo, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales, Ali Khan, Fawad Ahmed

Bench: Akeal Hosein, Pravin Tambe, Sikandar Raza, Anderson Phillip, Amir Jangoo, Tion Webster

Head to Head

Matches Played- 20 | Trinbago Knight Riders Won- 11 | Guyana Amazon Warriors Won- 9

Broadcast Details

Match Timings- 3:00 AM (IST), 5:30 PM (local).

TV– Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 2 HD, and Star Sports 1 HD Hindi.

Live Streaming– The match can be streamed online on Fancode.