Jamaica Tallawahs and St Lucia Zouks had disastrous outings
in the 2019 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Both teams couldn’t
make the playoffs in daily fantasy
cricket and ended as the bottom-ranked teams. For the Tallawahs, it was
one odd season, but the Zouks have floundered since the inception of the CPL.
The two teams are set to lock horns in the first of Wednesday’s doubleheader.
The match will be played at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba.
Last year, the Zouks won both their matches against the Tallawahs courtesy
blistering half-centuries from Rahkeem Cornwall. In the history of the
tournament, the Zouks have the lowest win percentage and they will be looking
for a change in fortunes. Jamaica will also be keen to amends for the heavy
defeats last time around.
Pitch and Conditions
The pitch at the venue generally assists the spinners to a
great extent and batsmen are expected to find it tough in the middle. Batting
first and putting runs on the board should be the way forward for the teams.
The weather should stay clear throughout the duration of the match and there
are no chances of rain. The temperature will be around 32 degrees Celsius with
the humidity around 70.
Playing Combinations
Jamaica Tallawahs
The Tallawahs will again be pinning hopes on Glenn Phillips,
who was their top run-scorer last season. There’s no shortage of firepower in
their batting order with the likes of Walton, Blackwood, Powell, Russell, Asif
Ali in their setup. They also have roped in Carlos Brathwaite from the
Patriots.
Russell and Brathwaite are also expected to hold the key
with the ball in hand. The inclusion of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Sandeep Lamichhane
has strengthened their bowling without a doubt. Fidel Edwards is an experienced
campaigner, but the Tallawahs also have the sparkling Ramaal Lewis.
Predicted XI
Glenn Phillips (wk), Chadwick Walton, Jermaine Blackwood,
Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Asif Ali, Carlos Brathwaite, Oshane Thomas,
Sandeep Lamichhane, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fidel Edwards/Ramaal Lewis
St Lucia Zouks
For the Zouks, Rahkeem Cornwall and Andre Fletcher have a
major role to play at the top of the order. The middle-order looks decent as
well with Afghanistan’s Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi in it. Leniko
Boucher played some decent hands and he needs to support the big guns.
In bowling, Kesrick Williams and Obed McCoy will have to
shoulder a chunk of the responsibility. There’s Chemar Holder, who was a part
of the England Test tour, as well in the pace bowling armoury. In the spin
department, Mohammad Nabi and Zahir Khan Pakteen should hold the key.
Predicted XI
Rahkeem Cornwall, Andre Fletcher, Leniko Boucher (wk),
Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Kavem Hodge, Daren Sammy (C), Chemar Holder,
Kesrick Williams, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Obed McCoy
Probable Top Performers
Andre Russell – Jamaica Tallawahs | Rahkeem Cornwall–
St Lucia Zouks
Broadcast Details
Match timings – 10:00 local time, 19:30 IST
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 at Fancode.
0 Comments