Analysing the Guyana Amazon Warriors outfit for CPL 2021

By Brandon Corlette

The consistent Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) confirmed 16-players for the 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which is set to bowl off from August 28 to September 19 in St Kitts and Nevis. This well-oiled Warriors outfit was revealed on Friday morning at the CPL draft, which was held virtually.
In this article, we examine the GAW squad. Prior to the draft, the Warriors retained 11 players. Those are: Nicholas Pooran, Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Naveen Ul Haq, Romario Shepherd, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd.
The newcomers in the Warriors squads, in contrast to last season, are: veteran Mohammad Hafeez, who previously featured for the Warriors; his Pakistan team mate and former Warriors captain Shoaib Malik, Waqar Salamkheil, and local boys Gudakesh Motie and Nial Smith.

Versatile batting
Opening batsman Brandon King will be searching for the golden run he had back in 2019. After an ordinary season in 2020, wherein he scored 116 runs in 11 matches at an average of 11.60, the right-hander has been on the decline. However, he still possesses royalty. In his 52 T20 matches, he has scored 1032 runs, with one century and five fifties, at an average of 25.17.
Having lost his place in the West Indies team and his International Retainer Contract, the 2021 CPL will be an important season for King.
King’s familiar opening partner, Guyanese left-hander Chandrapaul Hemraj, would also be looking for a good showing and desiring to convert all his starts, after scoring 140 runs in eight matches at an average of 17.50. Hemraj, like many Caribbean openers, will be looking for some heavy runs this season.
Pooran, who scored a century in 2020 and had an aggregate of 245 last season at an average of 27.2, will be aiming to find his groove this season. The West Indies T20 vice-captain also had poor showings in the 2021 Indian Premier League, but having returned to his second home, the GAW, he would want to lead from the front.
Arguably the most-talked about cricketer currently,the home-grown Hetmyer will have much to prove, after losing his International Retainer Contract and missing recent West Indies squads. With the ICC T20 World Cup looming, Hetmyer would want to use the CPL as a yardstick to earn selection into that squad.
Last season, Hetmyer was the leading run-scorer for the GAW, but bowed out in the semi-finals. The left-hander scored 267 runs at an average of 33, with three fifties under his belt. In the recent IPL, Hetmyer showed some form with the bat, and walking into this GAW set-up, he will want to extend that IPL form.
While Pooran and Hetmyer are seen as explosive players, the composure of Malik and Hafeez would complete the GAW batting. Malik is regarded as a T20 giant, with 417 matches to his name and 10,488 runs at a stellar average of 37, with 64 half-centuries.

Hafeez has enjoyed a golden patch in T20 cricket around the world. The veteran Hafeez has had 7,004 runs in 318 matches, with two centuries and 41 fifties.
Hafeez is also a solid option at the top of the order for GAW. Like Malik, Hafeez also offers an option with the ball with his off-spin.
Wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble is also known as an attacking batsman, but with limited opportunities with the bat, he is yet to leave his mark with the bat in CPL.

Skilful bowling group
Imran Tahir is certainly the most decorated GAW bowler. The veteran, who was the leading bowler for GAW last season with 15 wickets, has played 308 T20 matches and has taken 386 wickets. His skill will certainly be an asset for the GAW.
Breakout Afghanistan star Naveen Ul Haq, who finished behind Tahir with 11 wickets last season, had announced himself last season. The right-arm seamer will now lead the fast-bowling group, with Keemo Paul now turning out for his new team, St Lucia Zouks.

Romario Shepherd, who had consistent seasons early in his CPL career, would want to earn the trust of the West Indies selectors after his decline in form with the ball.
He, however, brings another dimension to the game with his power-hitting. Newcomer Nial Smith took the limelight in the First-class arena and the Regional Super50 for the Guyana Jaguars. He also went on to gain experience in West Indies training camps, and he will certainly have a part to play for the GAW.
Odean Smith, who played only one match last season for GAW, will also look to break into the starting XI and impress with his express pace. Impressive spin duo Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd had good first outings, bowling with economy rates under five in the nine matches they played between them. This duo will also play an integral role for the GAW, who are now without former captain and top off-spinner Chris Green.

Additionally, Gudakesh Motie, who had a hot-streak in the Regional Super50, where he emerged as the top wicket-taker, would also want to learn as much as possible, and grab his opportunity when it presents itself.
Waqar Salamkheil, the Afghanistan left-arm wrist-spinner, played 22 T20 matches and has taken 33 wickets. If given an opportunity, he might be the surprise player for the GAW.
After falling short in previous seasons, with this team, the GAW would aim to clinch a maiden CPL title and give their fans something to smile about.