When the horns sound! The trumpets blow! And the drums roll! Then and only then will the Queen’s Park Oval come alive tonight for the ‘Biggest Party In Sport’, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) clash between arch rivals Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders.
In front of the first sold-out crowd of this year’s tournament, the two teams are billed to feature in a fierce battle to the delight of spectators.
Failing to open their campaign on a winning note the defending champions TKR will have to work hard against a confident Amazon
Sunil Narine
Warriors unit, if they hope to win this game.
With the likes of Brendon McCullum, Dwayne and Darren Bravo and Hashim Amla the hosts are not short of either leadership or batting. However, judging from their bowling display in the opening match against the St Lucia Zouks, their bowling department spearheaded by Sunil Narine, needs to improve to have any effect on the outcome of the game.
In contrast, two-time finalist Guyana Amazon Warriors looked a very confident unit in their first game. And a win tonight could ensure a good opening run on the road before they play home.
However, the Warriors’ top-order must be complemented by the middle- and lower-order. Dwayne Smith and captain Martin Guptill seem to be the ideal pair at the top of the order, but the middle- and lower-order seem to lack venom.
As in previous tournaments, the Warriors’ bowling cannot be questioned but an adjustment for all-rounder Steven Jacobs to replace Devendra Bishoo or Veerasammy Permaul, will give the bowling a wider variety while adding to the batting depth.
Notwithstanding the teams’ composition, an exhilarating challenge is expected in front of a full house of 25,000 spectators.
Trinbago Knight Riders: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Brendon McCullum, Darren Bravo, Sunil Narine, Hashim Amla, Umar Akmal, Kevon Cooper, Sulieman Benn, Colin Munro, Anton Devcich, Ronsford Beaton, Nikita Miller, Javon Searles, William Perkins, Yannick Cariah, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Hamza Tariq, Anderson Phillip.
Guyana Amazon Warriors: Sohail Tanvir, Martin Guptill (captain), Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Ali Khan and Devendra Bishoo. (Delvon McEwan)
