Leading personalities braced for biggest and best ever CPL Pt 2

With the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) set to open tomorrow, we gathered the thoughts of some of the chief characters across all six teams and asked them to preview the forthcoming campaign and outline their vision for their respective teams.
The 2016 season is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, with an array of West Indies and international stars set to descend on the Caribbean and Florida for the biggest party in sport.
Dr. Vijay Mallya (Barbados Tridents), Roger Harper (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Paul Nixon (Jamaica Tallawahs), Eric Simons (St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots), Stuart Williams (St. Lucia Zouks) and Simon Helmot (Trinbago Knight Riders) talk about their teams and share their exclusive thoughts ahead of the fourth instalment of the biggest party in sport. Today we get the views of Dr Vijay Mallya, Paul Nixon and Roger Harper.

Barbados Tridents Owner – Dr Vijay Mallya:

1)      What are your team’s plans coming together for the upcoming CPL season?

On the field we intend to win by playing good cricket. Our squad features several world class players who can change any game. Working together as a unit is important for our team’s success.
2)      Who are your team’s players to watch?
In T20 cricket, any player can be a match winner on his given day. However, with the likes of AB de Villiers, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard and others we feel the Tridents will be a hard team to beat.
3)      Which one other player from another franchise are you most excited about watching at CPL 2016?
I’m looking forward to seeing what Brendon McCullum of the Trinbago Knight Riders can do in Caribbean conditions. He is another exciting world-class player who, on his day, can take the game over with the bat and in the field.
4)      What makes CPL such an exciting product?
The spirit of the fans, the atmosphere, Caribbean culture fusing with high-paced action-packed cricket. With that formula it is hard to not be exciting.
5)      What can fans expect at your home games this year?
Fans will witness an unparalleled experience never seen before in the Caribbean. They’ll have a chance to see their team in new kit and enjoy an improved stadium experience which will draw on their passion for the game. On the field, our team is focused on winning.
6)      Describe your team’s distinct traits / values in three words.
Committed to winning!
BARBADOS TRIDENTS: Kieron Pollard (captain), AB de Villiers, Shoaib Malik, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Ravi Rampaul, David Wiese, Robin Peterson, Raymon Reifer, Ashley Nurse, Wayne Parnell, Akeal Hosein, Imran Khan, Kyle Hope, Navin Stewart, Kyle Corbin, Steven Taylor, Shamar Springer

Coach: Robin Singh, Assistant Coach: Vasbert Drakes

Jamaica Tallawahs Coach – Paul Nixon:
1)      What are your team’s plans coming together for the upcoming CPL season?

Our plans are coming together well for this year’s CPL. The management group touched base several weeks ago discussing plans and our daily calendar through the tournament.  The schedule includes the Cricket sessions, leadership group chats, rest sessions, gym sessions from physiotherapy screening to rest and recovery sessions and managing the young bowlers’ workloads. Looking after our very important sponsors as well, it is crucial to help the Tallawahs grow our brand and our players are committed to do this. We are confident and happy with the direction we are heading at this early stage.
2)      Who are your team’s players to watch?
The players to watch in our team is a tough question as all have a match winning ability but to say a couple of names are Rovman Powell a very hard-hitting batsman and Jon-Russ Jaggesar who is a very skilled off-spinner who can spin it both ways and with great accuracy. Mohammad Khan and the team picked so many talented guys with strong mental belief. Our squad has age and experience combined with the vibrancy and energy of youth.
3)      Which one other player from another franchise are you most excited about watching at CPL 2016?
We respect every one of our opposition teams but we don’t fear them. There are many world class players and I’m looking forward to seeing each team’s number 11 batsman walking back to the dressing room! It’s about us doing well and being calm under pressure with good decision-making in the heat of battle. One or two overs of super quality can win T20 cricket, so a good focus and mind-set is huge in the CPL.
4)      What makes CPL such an exciting product?
T20 has taken the cricketing world by storm. T20 cricket is very exciting and with the Draft making it a very fair pool of players for all teams to pick from, keeps it an open competition and keeps things on an even keel.  It’s about those who can execute their skills at the right time, create the team bonding and prepare well who will be the teams who will succeed. This year’s overseas players are as strong as they have ever been. The coaches facilitate the best way possible so the players are ready. Passion, the colour and vibrancy of the West Indian public also create a unique carnival atmosphere throughout this amazing competition. The West Indies, and Jamaica especially, have always set amazing standards in sport over many years it’s so it’s wonderful that cricket is again on the map. With the U19’s, the women and the men’s team doing so well recently, I have no doubt that CPL has played a huge part in this renaissance. The crowds are so knowledgeable, passionate and some of the most hospitable people on earth so together this adds to very special recipe called CPL. We all can’t wait to get this competition started and come 8 August our team will be aiming to holding the trophy again.
5)      What can fans expect at your home games this year?
Our fans can expect exciting, fearless and smart cricket, clear decision-making under pressure and quality entertainment.
6)      Describe your team’s distinct traits / values in three words.
Passionate, Entertaining & Fearless. We want to create a legacy for Jamaican cricket.
JAMAICA TALLAWAHS: Chris Gayle (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Imad Wasim, Dale Steyn, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Andre McCarthy, Jonathan Foo, Alex Ross, Kesrick Williams, Nkrumah Bonner, Garey Mathurin, Timroy Allen, O’shane Thomas

Coach: Paul Nixon, Assistant Coach: Mark O’Donnell

Guyana Amazon Warriors Coach – Roger Harper:

1)         How are your team’s plans coming together for the upcoming CPL season?
We gathered for a one-week camp on 19th June and took that opportunity to sharpen our skills and build our team-spirit.
2)         Who are your team’s players to watch?
Our international players, namely captain Martin Guptill, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Sohail Tanvir along with young Adam Zampa, will of course grab a lot of attention and we expect them to lead from the front.  We also have a number of regional and local players that will have a great impact on the CPL this year; players like Rayad Emrit, Christopher Barnwell and Veerasammy Permaul, just to name a few. However, the strength and performance of our squad as a whole is what will make us successful.
3)         Which one other player from another franchise are you most excited about watching at CPL 2016?
There are so many high quality and exciting players throughout the CPL that it is difficult to pick one.
4)         What makes CPL such an exciting product?
The Caribbean environment and the West Indian spirit is unique and brings a special flavour to the CPL product.
5)         What can fans expect at your home games this year?
The Warriors will always strive to make our fans proud and they can expect the Warriors to play quality, winning cricket at home.
6)      Describe your team’s distinct traits / values in three words.
United, Determined, Focused.
GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS: Sohail Tanvir, Martin Guptill (captain), Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Devendra Bishoo, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Ali Khan, Shimron Hetmyer

Coach: Roger Harper, Assistant Coach: Esuan Crandon