CPL 2020: Match 7, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs St Lucia Zouks, Preview - A win-deficient Patriots eye to get off the mark before being too late

Patriots are yet to register their first win in the tournament while the Zouks will enter this match with some momentum after winning a rain-curtailed encounter.

Published - 22 Aug 2020, 11:36 IST | Updated - 22 Aug 2020, 11:36 IST

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The 7th match of CPL will see St Kitts and Nevis Patriots taking on the St Lucia Zouks on 22nd August 2020 at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad. While the Patriots are yet to register their first win in the tournament having lost two consecutive encounters, the Zouks will enter this match with some momentum after winning a rain-curtailed encounter against the Barbados Tridents.

Despite clinching their last encounter, Darren Sammy and his men have certain issues to address as their top-order has been slightly shaky and they will want the duo of Rakheem Cornwall and Andre Fletcher to provide better starts as well as youngster Mark Deyal to fire at No. 3. Roston Chase scored a brilliant half-century in the first encounter whereas he shone with the ball in the second by bagging 2 wickets for just 8 runs.

The Patriots, on the other hand, have proved themselves to be only a great bunch of names on paper thus far. Regardless of the likes of Chris Lynn and Evin Lewis, they have floundered at the start. Jahmar Hamilton too has disappointed twice in a row and is likely to lose his spot. The burning form of skipper Rayad Emrit has been one positive for them, however.

Having won their last match, the Zouks will look forward to carrying on with their momentum whereas the Patriots will be badly searching for their first win after two straight losses on the trot.

Playing combination

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

Both Chris Lynn and Evin Lewis will be keen to perform as per their reputation and convert their start into bigger knocks as openers. Two failed attempts have made Jahmar Hamilton droppable and Joshua da Silva, who saved the team in the first match by his run-a-ball 41 might be brought in his place.

Ben Dunk has been the only performer in the middle-order and will look to add to that. Denesh Ramdin and Nick Kelly have struggled although these three are the ideal choices for Patriots and will constitute the middle-order.

Skipper Emrit’s performance has been delightful and Sheldon Cottrell has been in wickets too. Dominic Drakes had a decent outing and he should be inside subjected to Sohail Tanvir’s availability. Jon-Russ Jaggesar failed to get a wicket but kept things tight with his tidy bowling in the last match. Ish Sodhi will complete the team.

Predicted XI

Chris Lynn, Evin Lewis, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Nicholas Kelly, Ben Dunk, Jahman Hamiton, Rayad Emrit (C), Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Dominic Drakes/Sohail Tanvir, Ish Sodhi, Sheldon Cottrell.

Bench: Joshua Da Silva, Dominic Drakes/Sohail Tanvir, Alzarri Joseph, Colin Archibald, Imran Khan.

St Lucia Zouks

Rahkeem Cornwall and Andre Fletcher will open the proceedings for the Zouks whereas Mark Denyal should come in at No. 3. Roston Chase has proved his worth twice on two occasions and will want to continue contributing the same way.

Najibullah Zadran and skipper Darren Sammy have been slightly rusty on occasions, however, these are still early days. Mohammad Nabi performed and made small but crucial contributions with both bat and ball in the rain-effected match against Tridents.

Scott Kuggeleijn went for runs in the first match but made a good comeback and picked a couple of wickets last time. Kesrick Williams is an experienced contender and has been decent in the last two matches. Obed McCoy would want to improve his economy whereas either one in Saad-bin-Zafar or Zahir Khan should be the other bowling options for the Zouks.

Predicted XI:

Andre Fletcher (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Mark Deyal, Roston Chase, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Daren Sammy (c), Scott Kuggeleijn, Obed McCoy, Kesrick Williams, Saad Bin Zafar.

Bench: Javelle Glen, Kavem Hodge, Chemar Holder, Leniko Boucher, Kimani Melius, Zahir Khan.