The six captains of the Hero CPL teams spoke virtually to the media yesterday (Thursday August 14). Here is what five of the captains had to say:
Holder on Rashid and Walsh:
“We expect big things from them”
In most successful T20 teams, wrist spinners have played pivotal roles. Tridents are equipped with two quality leggies in Hayden Walsh Jr. and Rashid Khan.
Walsh, who played an important role for Tridents in the 2019 CPL, ended with 22 wickets in nine matches at a brilliant average of 12.7. He took a best bowling figure of 5-19.
From left to right: Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Rayad Emrit
Meanwhile, Khan has been a dominant force to reckon with in T20s, having played 211 matches globally and picked up 296 wickets at a tender age of 21.
Khan is no stranger to CPL.
In 2017 he played for Guyana Amazon Warriors and made an immediate impact, picking up 14 wickets, including the tournament’s first ever hat trick.
Holder disclosed that Tridents are expecting big things from this duo in the 2020 CPL. “Hayden was last year’s ‘player of the tournament’ and Rashid is a world class leg-spinner. We expect big things from both of them, and they are looking forward to bowling in tandem. It is a matter for them to execute and lead the charge,” Holder said.
With CPL being a condensed tournament, Holder said the bench strength will be tested, and these are all factors that the team is considering.
During Holder’s first media engagement of the tournament, the captain of the defending champions, Barbados Tridents, said his team had one practice session thus far, and the preparation has been strange. Holder and his Tridents have been limited to full use of the facility since the rain has been around.
The West Indies Test captain is fully aware that this tournament is different because of the COVID-19 protocols. “We understand that this tournament will be different from the other tournaments, and we have to make use of the resources we have,” Holder said.
Fresh from a bio-secure bubble in England, Holder said the CPL bubble is different, and more restrictions are in place, in contrast to what had obtained in England.
Last year is history for the current CPL title holders. Captain Holder explained that the last season was good, but come this season, Tridents will be aiming to defend the trophy.
Trinidad locals in Patriots will be a plus – Emrit
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have had the most shuffling. Captain Emrit noted that the team looks a good one on paper, but the game-changer and the man who brings balance to the team, Fabian Allen, will be missed.
Despite all the changes, Emrit noted that the squad is filled with game-changers and a strong coaching staff led by the legendary Courtney Walsh, to produce that win.
This tournament is certainly a different one, and Emrit and his team had their first preparation recently, which they made full use of.
With the tournament being compact, Emrit explained that chopping and changing would not be essential, as the Patriots are keen on starting well.
CPL 2020 is set to be played at only two venues in Trinidad and Tobago. The experience will be strange for all the players, but Emrit and company would be looking to bring their own vibes to the stadium. Patriots are equipped with Trinidadian locals in Emrit, Denesh Ramdin, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Joshua Da Silva and Jon Russ Jaggesar.
Sharing his sentiments on that fact, Emrit said the local players in the team would work to their advantage of the situation.
“The pitches will be good early in the tournament, and the fast bowlers will play a huge role. And later on, the spinners will come into play,” Emrit said.
Gayle, Sarwan a big loss – Powell
The Jamaica Tallawahs have had the most action in the build of the 2020 CPL. Newly appointed captain Rovman Powell said the loss of Chris Gayle and Assistant Coach Ramnaresh Sarwan, who will not play a part in the 2020 tournament, is a big loss, but the team must play professionally and make amends after a poor 2019 CPL.
For Powell, it is also strange, but everyone in the camp is upbeat ahead of the CPL. The young Powell said being appointed as captain evokes a tremendous feeling, and he is excited to lead a great bunch of players.
Sandeep Lamichhane and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are great additions to the Tallawahs, and Powell also believes that the fast bowling led by Oshane Thomas, Andre Russell, Fidel Edwards and Carlos Brathwaite looks strong.
Powell noted that local spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Ramaal Lewis will play important roles, while learning from the international spinners in the set-up. With this tournament being hectic in schedule, Powell said that his bench strength will be ready for any task.
“Injuries will happen. We have made plans and we have a strong bench. We are in a good position in this regard,” Powell noted.
The tournament will be played in Trinidad, and the Trinbago Knight Riders would have a little edge. According to Powell, the Tallawahs will not be focusing on that, but are aiming to play good cricket on the day.
Sammy not closing door on West Indies selection
Two-time T20 World Cup captain Darren Sammy had done a lot of soul-searching. His focus is on taking St Lucia Zouks to the play-off.
“The main focus is to do well for the Zouks, and that will raise eyebrows in terms of West Indies selection,” Sammy said.
The 36-year-old Sammy has said he has not closed the door on a West Indies selection with T20 World Cups looming. He posited that he is in a good space mentally.
“I am in a very good place mentally. I am not under any pressure to perform and keep my spot, so I am just here to elevate the youngsters, and I think I am closer to the end,” Sammy concluded.
The vocal Sammy has indicated that his team made use of the resources they had. Coached by Andy Flower, the Zouks captain is impressed with the leadership quality in the camp. Zouks have always looked a strong team on paper, but have failed to convert perception into reality.
Sammy has credited the new team owners for bringing difference in management. “Over the years, I have focused a lot on management and leading. This year I want to focus on the cricket, and this year I have already seen strong leaders within the group. I can’t wait – honestly – to lead them out of the park,” Sammy explained.
Earlier in the week, Sammy expressed his disappointment with some players having the opportunity to train and some being required to stay indoors. “My point was: Why not everyone in the bubble? But it is logical to have everyone participating in the tournament be in the bubble at the inception,” Sammy echoed.
Sammy noted that other players shared this same view and have lodged their complaints with managers and with him, a senior captain.
With Chris Gayle being transferred to the Zouks earlier, but now opting out, Sammy said he was looking forward to play with the Universe Boss, and his leadership in the batting group would have been invaluable.
Qualifying for playoffs is the first step for Pollard
While all the other captains conducted their virtual press conference in their hotel rooms at the Hilton, Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) captain Kieron Pollard had the luxury of speaking to the media during an outdoor practice session.
The hosts, TKR, have been the only team to put in additional training, and they are the last team to enter the bubble.
TKR have the oldest and first Indian player in the CPL. Pollard said Praven Tambe has been good during training thus far, and he is looking forward to playing in ‘the biggest party in sport’, and hopefully he shares his experience “while we await more Indian players to arrive in CPL”.
The Pollard-led team have stuck with their core players, and Dwayne Bravo and Fawad Ahmed are the two additions which bring great experience. Pollard also made reference to Sammy, whom he regards as a normal player in the Caribbean. He says that given Sammy’s strong performances in the CPL, he is eligible to play for the West Indies.
“We have made clear to the (new Cricket West Indies) administration that everyone is available for selection in that pool. No one is an exception to the rule. Performances and fitness and everything we are looking for.”
TKR will play the Warriors in their opening match, and qualifying for the playoff is priority. “Guyana got the better of us in 2019, but come this season, that counts for nothing,” Pollard highlighted.
Speaking on playing without fans, Pollard said this is the new way of cricket, but the TKR will miss the fans. “We are always going to play for them. Hopefully, we bring smiles to them in this tournament,” Pollard concluded.
