And then they were four!: Republic Bank CPL playoffs bowls off today

Local franchise, Guyana Amazon Warriors, playoffs newcomers Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, the experienced Trinbago Knight Riders and defending champions St. Lucia Kings will be engrossed in three days of blockbuster T20 cricket at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) this week, to decide on this year’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finalists.

With the league phase closing with a win for the Amazon warriors on Sunday night, the local franchise has jumped up two places to second position. St. Lucia Kings remain at first, while the Knight Riders and Falcons have dropped one place to third and fourth respectively.
As they get ready for the first two matches of the playoffs, leaders of the top two teams David Wiese and Romario Shepherd relished being able to secure two chances at the final. Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran and Imad Wasim are a stark contrast in playoff experience.
“We’re quite happy to secure one of the top two spots, that was our goal from the start to get into the top two, to give yourself that second bite at it in case things don’t go well in the playoffs. The guys are feeling confident, we’ve got a couple training sessions heading into the playoff game now. So, first job done for us now, but it’s not finished yet and we’ve still got a couple important games coming up,” Captain of the defending champions, David Wiese shared.

Representing the second- place league finisher, Romario Shepherd noted, “We’re fairly confident. You know, that was one of our goals to actually qualify first and second just to get that extra cushion like David also mentioned. Also, from a psychological point of view, you know you’re top two now so, you’ve got to play like a top two team in the competition, gong int the business end. It’s just for us to take that momentum and go forward.”
Trinbago Knight Riders’ Nicholas Pooran said, “For us, we believe if we have to be successful, we have to beat everyone. Playoffs is a different type of cricket, different type of pressure and we’re accustomed to that. So, we’re looking forward to the next couple of days but from a group perspective, we know we have our work cut out to do. Coming here to Guyana hasn’t been easy for us over the last couple of years, we know the surface over here is a bit tricky both first and second innings so, that’s something that we need to sit, discuss, plan how we actually want to go about our innings.”

“Our journey has been fantastic, I think the first box has been ticked, getting into the playoffs. Three wins away from the finals, these conditions, they suit us. The thing is, all of them, all the teams are fantastic so, on a given day whoever can beat whoever. We just want to showcase good talent, enjoy the game and entertain the fans, that’s about it,” Falcons’ Imad Wasim shared at the press briefing.
On a winning streak now, Amazon warriors’ Romario Shepherd expressed his confidence in their new playing xi but admitted some more consideration will be had before taking on St. Lucia.

Shepherd explained, “With Shamar coming in to the team, like Pooran mentioned the surface and how tricky it is, he [Shamar] has the extra pace and he shows how difficult it is to hit someone bowling that pace and the ball also keeping a bit low. So, I think that’s a good XI but all in all, we’re facing St. Lucia so, obviously we have to go back to the selection meeting and see what’s the best XI for that game and hopefully we come up with a good XI to win that game.”
Meanwhile, as Eliminator one bowls off tomorrow between the Knight Riders and Falcons, Pooran is keen on turning around the Knight Riders’ momentum which saw them losing three on the trot, also admitting that the Falcons have given them a run for their money.
“Falcons has definitely been a team that has challenged us in the past,” Pooran admitted, “And we’re looking forward to see that game. as I said playoff games are completely different. Imad just mentioned that they like the conditions, it more favours them as well so, again, for me it’s on the day. We’re not goi ng to allow the toss to have an impact on the game but we’re looking forward to the game.”

The TKR skipper went on to share about their back- to- back losses, “Yeah for sure, if I look at the tournament and how it went for us, I don’t think we won any toss on the road. For us, we just felt like it has been two different tournaments for us. When we batted first, it’s been quite tricky in that powerplay and we have been losing a lot of wickets in the powerplay and that’s something we want to get better at. But when we have batted second, we have won the game quite convincingly so, it’s just something for us to continue to fight. Its crunch time and we all need to put our hands up and let it be counted.”
On the other hand, their challengers, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons are approaching tomorrow’s clash with a positive mindset as Captain Wasim even repeated some of the encouraging words he shared with his team.
Wasim shared, “I always say to everyone, performance is not guaranteed but attitude matters. I think the attitude of these guys are fantastic whole tournament. Inside the rope they just give their 100 percent. Obviously, Jayden is playing for West Indies, doing very good so, I think attitude matters, they are fantastic players and I wish them all he best in future. I hope that tomorrow they stand up although in playoffs, whoever copes the pressure well wins the game most likely. TKR has got like 9 players who have done that before many of times, but I think young guys need to step up.”
“It’s simple, just play one game at a time, do not think about winning the final. Yes, you are here to win that trophy but one game at a time, do your things right. Like I said before, our pieces of puzzle are getting together, which I really like going into the playoffs, playing against any of the teams because they’re so experienced, they’ve done that before, it’s going t be a massive task but like Nicky said, if you want to win the tournament, you have to beat every team and these ae the best teams in the competition,” the Falcons’ skipper related to media operatives on Monday morning.
Eliminator 1, featuring the Knight Riders and Falcons will bowl off at 20:00hrs tonight at the Guyana National Stadium while Qualifier 1 between the Amazon Warriors and Kings will commence at the same time on Wednesday, September 17.
Qualifier 2 is set for this Friday, September 19 with the grand finale penciled for Sunday, September 21 all at 20:00hrs.
On the Women’s side of things, the final league match of the Massy WCPL will be played today between the Royals and Knight Riders’ Women while the final is set for Wednesday, September 17 at 15:00hrs.