CPL 2020: Match 2, Barbados Tridents vs St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Preview- Defending champions look to kick-off their campaign on a high

St Kitts will be hoping to improve their performance from last year.

Published - 18 Aug 2020, 17:30 IST | Updated - 18 Aug 2020, 17:30 IST

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The defending champions Barbados Tridents will lock horns with St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, in the second encounter of CPL 2020 to be held at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad. The winners of the last edition, Tridents, had a purple run in the tournament as they won 11 clashes in a row before defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors- who have quite a reputation of being the runners-up- to clinch the league.

In the absence of Alex Hales, Marcus Stoinis, and Harry Gurney, all of whom are unavailable for this season, the likes of Shai Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Corey Anderson, and skipper Jason Holder will have a bigger role to play and ensure that there are no gaps to be filled. On the flip side, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots will be eager to fare better after finishing fourth in the last edition of CPL.

The Patriots have some scintillating short-format players in Chris Lynn, Sheldon Cottrell, and Alzarri Joseph, however, the Tridents appear more balanced and more so specifically after the return of Rashid Khan in the league. All in all, we can expect an intriguing clash between the two teams in Trinidad.

Playing Combinations

Barbados Tridents

Shai Hope and Johnson Charles will be in the usual opening slot for the Tridents and Shamarh Brooks will come in at No. 3. Though their top-order has some reliable names, none of them is known for blazing starts or high strike rates. Corey Anderson is known for big hitting and he alongside Jonathan Carter and Jason Holder will take care of the middle-order.

The most potent and game-changing weapon for the Tridents this year will be the Afghanistan-leggie, Rashid Khan, who can also play the role of a pinch-hitter down the order. Hayden Walsh Jr, Ashley Nurse, and the Kiwi-spinner, Mitchell Santner are the other spin options apart from the obvious pick in Rashid Khan.

Therefore, one of Walsh Jr and Santner could be benched. Raymon Reifer and Nayeem Young will have a point to prove with their pace bowling alongside skipper Holder and all-rounder Anderson.

Predicted XI- Shai Hope (WK), Johnson Charles, Shamarh Brooks, Corey Anderson, Jonathan Carter, Jason Holder (C), Rashid Khan, Ashley Nurse, Hayden Walsh Jr/Mitchell Santner, Raymon Reifer, Nyeem Young

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

The explosive duo of Chris Lynn and Evin Lewis is set to start the proceedings for the Patriots. With the likes of Ben Dunk, Denesh Ramdin, Joshua de Silva, and Nicky Kelly forming their middle-order, the onus on the openers is high as some of their middle-order batsmen are relatively young and inexperienced.

Given that the track at Trinidad is one that suits the spinners, Imran Khan may get a chance alongside Ish Sodhi, who is certain to play. Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph, Sohail Tanvir, and Rayad Emrit are the main pacers for them, however, one amongst Tanvir and Joseph will have to miss in order to accommodate the extra spinner.

Predicted XI- Chris Lynn, Evin Lewis, Joshua Da Silva, Ben Dunk, Denesh Ramdin (WK), Nick Kelly, Rayad Emrit (C), Sohail Tanvir/ Alzarri Joseph, Imran Khan, Sheldon Cottrell, Ish Sodhi.