JACK BUTLER: The Cricketer looks ahead to Saturday’s action in the Caribbean Premier League
Following a fixtureless Friday, the CPL returns with a Saturday double-header that features a plethora of big-hitting action. Here's what you can expect from the CPL stars on show…
GAME ONE - St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs St Lucia Zouks (3pm GMT)
GAME TWO - Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs (7.15pm GMT)
Four teams are in action as Saturday's double-header serves up some fiery fixtures with some equally fiery characters.
Jamaica Tallawahs got off to the perfect start under Rovman Powell with victory over St Lucia Zouks – a simple blueprint of six-hitting and wrist spin masterfully executed.
However, Thursday’s defeat against Trinbago Knight Riders saw a different story. The Tallawahs’ top order slumped to 19 for 3. A second tournament fifty from Glenn Phillips and a shrewd bowling display from Mujeeb Ur Rahman proved futile as a woeful batting powerplay saw Jamaica register their first loss of the tournament.
Saturday’s opponents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, registered their first win of the campaign on Wednesday and their spin attack will provide another stern examination of Jamaica’s batsmen.
Under the intelligent leadership of Chris Green, Guyana recorded a three-wicket victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, courtesy of a half century from Shimron Hetymer and four wickets from Keemo Paul.
Green also impressed with the ball as an astute spin attack once again proved to be an essential part of the Warriors’ strategy – both Green and Imran Tahir bowled economically in the powerplay.
But before this match-up can take place, the Brian Lara Cricket Academy will host Saturday’s first game as St Kitts and Nevis entertain St Lucia Zouks. On Thursday, St Lucia picked up their first win of the CPL – a seven-wicket victory over Barbados Tridents.
Rahkeem Cornwall opens the batting to St Lucia Zouks
Rahkeem Cornwall and man of the match Mohammed Nabi impressed, while Andre Fletcher also excelled – an unbeaten 16 of seven balls guided St Lucia to Barbados’ rain-reduced target in just 4.1 overs.
After the game, the St Lucia captain, Darren Sammy, praised his side’s performance but admitted “the cricketing gods” had been on his team’s side as they took advantage of batting second.
Sammy highlighted his players’ improved “intent” this year, but also spoke with caution about his side’s powerplay bowling. “We seem to have that big over every game,” he said.
“So, we just have to control that a little more. You want to get wickets upfront, [but] if you control that powerplay period then, once the field is spread, it’s easy on the bowlers. For two games now we’ve had to pull the game back in the middle orders.”
A more economical powerplay is something Sammy will want to see his bowlers address against Saturday's opposition. Patriots, skippered by Rayad Emrit, have begun poorly with two defeats in two games.
Saturday's action sees some intriguing matchups, with several of the world’s top spinners facing off against some of the biggest hitters in the white-ball game.
Andre Russell, Carlos Braithwaite and Asif Ali will take on the wily leg-spin of Tahir. At 41-years-old, he continues to bamboozle batsmen with his consistency and subtle variation; he returned figures of 2 for 18 last time out.
On Thursday, the most economical bowler in CPL history, Sunil Narine, returned figures of 1 for 19, with Fawad Armed similarly effective as Jamaica struggled against the slower bowlers.
Glenn Phillips has started the campaign in fine fettle
Elsewhere, the Zouks also promise some fascinating viewing. In Rahkeem Cornwall, they possess another West-Indian off-spinner – like Narine – who fancies himself at the top of the order.
Towering over his teammates, he hit three fours off Jason Holder's opening over in Thursday’s Duckworth-Lewis-assisted chase.
Afghanistan veteran Mohammed Nabi is another to watch after he impressed on Thursday. Before the rain came, his four overs were taken for just 19 runs, before he went on to hit 15 in just six balls to further his status as one of the best short-forms allrounders going. Nabi looked particularly happy when he sent a delivery from compatriot Rashid Khan high into the stands.
St Lucia to find a way to victory against the winless Patriots.
The spin of Guyana will prove too much for Jamaica.
Sky Sports have the rights in the UK and are promising to show all 33 CPL fixtures on their various platforms.
Potentially. In between sunny intervals and highs of 31 degrees, the threat of a possible thunderstorm or intermittent shower looms throughout Saturday’s fixtures. Have your Duckworth-Lewis calculators on standby.
The Cricketer's coverage of the CPL comes in collaboration with the Caribbean Cricket Podcast
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