Dynamic Australian batsman Chris Lynn has expressed confidence in the Guyana Amazon Warriors ending the
Chris Lynn
title drought by copping the coveted trophy at this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The Amazon Warriors would have made the play-offs trice, of which they went unto play the finals twice but unfortunately could not add the icing to the cake after three good seasons.
In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Lynn posited that despite the “underdog” status some persons have tagged his team; they have players who are more than capable of taking them all the way.
“Guyana is more than capable of winning the CPL; you get a couple of players inform and peak at the right time then we will have every chance to dominate the tournament. The underdog status will suit us perfect,” the attacking batsman said.
Lynn, who was racked in by the Warriors’ at the players’ draft in February for US$90,000, is no stranger to titles, having captained the Brisbane Heat to the title in this year’s Big Bash League (BBL) where he also voted the player of the tournament.
During the BBL, he amassed 378 runs off 218 balls, smacking 27 sixes and 23 fours, with a highest score of 101. The Queenslander was quizzed on if he feels anyway pressured to replicate those performances for the Amazon Warriors.
“I don’t really feel any pressure to do well. I’ve always said whatever will be, will be! I give myself the best advantage at training to do well. So I will have a crack and see what happens,” he responded.
The right-hander, will be knowledgeable of the electric atmosphere at the “Biggest Party in Sport”, having played for the Jamaica Tallawahs last year where he was able to produce his top score of 52 in the tournament. His numbers are quite decent, having a strike rate of 125 from ten CPL matches while scoring 167 runs.
This year, the player explains that he has much more to offer since it is time he makes a bigger impact.
He stated “Chris Lynn will offer plenty of fun internally within the squad but also a sense of leadership to really stand up. I’ve had the experience of playing in the CPL already so it’s now time to really press the button.”
The Warriors play four home matches in what are expected to be spin-friendly conditions and player believes winning those matches are of great importance since it allows for the broadening the fan base.
“Winning home games is massive not only for us as players but for our fans. Good teams do well but great teams do well and also have a great following and the best way to do that is win the fans over.”
Lynn rates CPL with the best
Having played 68 Twenty20 matches in his developing career, the player can be considered one of the young globe-trotting cricketers, with appearances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Kolkata Knight Riders, is of the view that the Caribbean league is just as exciting as other world tournaments.
“CPL is an exciting and fairly new competition; it brings a variety of players from around the world together to compete in the Caribbean, not just for high quality cricket but an amazing atmosphere and lifestyle,” Lynn opined.
A momentous feature of this year’s tournament is that it moves to state of Florida in the United States of America and the cricketer who is widely known for his stunning exploits in the outfield, is excited of the over the expansion of the CPL.
“[It’s] great that the CPL has gone to Florida; we as players are about expanding the game of cricket and for us to experience cricket in America is fantastic, Imagine if it takes off!!! Party in the USA,” Expressed Lynn.
The Australian is expected to arrive in Guyana ahead of the Warriors’ training camp which commences on Monday June 20.
The Amazon Warriors will begin their campaign on the road when they play the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Warner Park on June 30.
Their home matches begin on July 7 with a clash against the Jamaica Tallawahs then the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots on July 9. The highly anticipated match against defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders will occur on July 10; the final home match is against the St. Lucia Zouks on July 12.
Guyana Amazon Warriors Squad: martin Guptil (Captain) Sohail Tanvir, 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, Shimron Hetmyer. ([email protected])
