GAW riding positive momentum into 2026 CPL season opener

Coming off a high, defending their championship in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) are rearing and ready to go in the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
GAW will open their account tonight, battling hosts Jamaica Kingsmen at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Though their training sessions at home were minimal, owing to their participation in the GSL, Coach Ryan Hercules shared some of the aspects they focused on.
“As you mentioned, a fast turnover – we had about two days’ rest, and we started training on Tuesday and Wednesday.” Hercules shared, “Basically, having some of the senior guys who played in the GSL giving them a bit of time off to relax a bit, and then more work with the junior players who’ve been selected, like Van Lange, Dindyal, Nandu, and these guys.”
“So, we had basic net sessions where we focused more emphasis on the role they would be playing in the team when we get to the beginning of the CPL.”
GAW will bring much of their GSL Championship-winning core to the CPL, a factor that has been described as a benefit for the team.
He explained, “It’s a good thing because having that same team, we already have that camaraderie, that culture with these guys. You would’ve noticed our overseas-based players remain the same with just one or two changes, but having these local guys as well who play cricket, Hetty and Hope, it makes it a bit easier for us because we know what they can do; we don’t have to go into games second-guessing their ability, even if they have their rough patches, we know what they’re capable of.”
“So, yeah, it’s a good thing for the Amazon Warriors, and it’s a good transformation from GSL to CPL, coming at the back end of a victory as well. Guys’ confidence are pretty much high,” the Coach added.
However, the team misses out on one of their spin-bowling stalwarts, which Hercules believes will not hurt the side.
“I wouldn’t say affecting; we’re pretty much happy for anyone’s success who has been with us,” Hercules said of Gudakesh Motie’s move to the Barbados Tridents after this year’s draft, “Obviously, we have Permaul, and we have Khary Pierre as well, two very good left-arm spinners who can be very vital for us in the side as well.”
He admitted, “This is the way how franchise cricket works out; you wouldn’t have all these guys all the time. The cricket will continue, the cricket will play, obviously we will make do with what we have.”
Quizzed on how difficult it would be to plan for the Kingsmen’s new franchise, the Coach maintained that familiarity and analytics will help.
“Not much difference. If you look at the setup of that team, its players who would’ve been playing CPL and the way how cricket is now, we have data analysts that get things done for you. So, like I said, we know majority of the guys; we’ve already started preparation. It’s just basically going out there and for our players to execute.”
Though the Amazon Warriors were unable to get over the line in the 2024 and 2025 finals, after lifting their first CPL championship in 2023, Hercules notes that he will always head into the season confidently.
“I’ll always be 100 per cent. For me, there’s no room to be 50/50 because the cricket is such a short turnover; you play here, and then tomorrow you’re on the plane to somewhere else. You need to be recovering very fast; you need to reflect very quick to see how we can make it happen,” Hercules said.
The experienced Coach added, “Unfortunately, yes, the past two years into the finals didn’t make it happen. Definitely we’ll already start looking back on things we think we can change if we’re in that position ever again. So, it’s up to the boys to just go out there, and if we get there, when we do get there, to ensure we do the right thing, and let’s make the fans happy.”
The clash between the Amazon Warriors and Kingsmen will bowl off at 20:00h, local time, this evening.