Many cricket pundits have called for a change in the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ batting line-up, as it continues to struggle. With results going in the opposite direction for the Warriors, altering the batting line-up may be the answer. This must be done as soon as possible, as the Warriors shape up to face the struggling St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Sunday from 14:15h.
Chris Green at the toss
Captain of the Warriors, Chris Green, has noted that the pitch at Queen’s Park Oval has been challenging, while Rayad Emrit, Captain of the Patriots, has expressed dissatisfaction with the surface.
“I really hope that these people who are preparing these pitches wake up and see what’s happening. This is not what we have worked so hard for as players, to turn up and get. This is totally unacceptable and disgraceful,” Emrit has declared.
In his post-match chat after the GAW were defeated by the Trinbago Knight Riders, Green described the pitch at the Queen’s Park Oval as a tough surface, and he said spin is tough to play. As he continues to adopt a positive outlook, Green has said he was impressed with the fight shown in the end with the bat.
Green also spoke about the effect of not playing at Providence, and reflected on the defeat against TKR. “That (crowd support) is a massive factor for all the teams. We get a lot of support to play in front of our fans. It is a disappointing feeling, but it is an amazing effort to put the CPL together. It was a tough surface. Spin is tough to play against. We lost early wickets, and that run-out changed the game. Amazing effort from Seifert. But proud of how the boys showed fight. They had a lot of left-handers, and hence we thought Romario would be the ideal fit.”
The main man Imran Tahir
After six matches, Warriors’ batsmen have decidedly failed to produce the goods. Shimron Hetmyer is the only one to have surpassed 150 runs, having thus far scored 169; while Ross Taylor, demoted to number five, has scored 113. Nicholas Pooran has thus far contributed 106 runs, while other batsmen who scored heavily last season are yet to surpass 100 runs in the six outings.
Imran Tahir has been impressive with the ball. Cricket’s senior statesman has thus far taken 11 wickets at a stunning average of 14.00 and an economy rate of 6.41. With the surfaces suitable for spin, Tahir will be more dangerous as the tournament progresses.
Shimron Hetmyer started off with a blast but is quiet since
Keemo Paul has been “good at times” during the tournament, having taken seven wickets while Chris Green and Ashmead Nedd have chipped in at various times.
Warriors have four matches to play before the semi-final stages, and for an opportunity to jump that semi-final hurdle, a win in each of the remaining matches will be essential. After six matches, Warriors are in fourth position with two wins and four defeats in an unfamiliar season. The table in the middle is still open, and Warriors will fancy their chances, since three teams are locked on four points.
