Pooran hoping Warriors would build on confidence – as St Lucia Kings battle awaits today

− Pollard takes blame for TKR loss

By Brandon Corlette

Guyana Amazon Warriors captain Nicholas Pooran is hoping that his team would build on the confidence they received from the Super Over win against Trinbago Knight Riders when they challenge St Lucia Kings today, Thursday September 2. The match will bowl off at 10:00h at Warner Park in St Kitts.

Reflecting on that Super Over win, Pooran noted that Warriors lacked intent in the middle overs. “We fought really hard as a franchise and a cricket team. We bowled extremely well today. When we batted, we kind of batted ourselves in a hole today; we didn’t have enough intent in the middle overs. We came out on the right side today, but it’s something to think on,” Pooran said.
Romario Shepherd was the star of the show with his all-round efforts. Shepherd missed two games this season due to a swollen toe. Pooran said before the CPL commenced that this year would be Shepherd’s year.
“First thing I told Romario before the CPL started was that this is his year. The way he was batting, bowling, fielding. His ethics, his body language, he wants to win games for the team. He proved he was a match-winner again today, and I’m very happy for him.”
The Warriors captain also disclosed that he read the game wrong while he was batting at the crease in the chase. “Definitely, last over of Sunil, those batsmen at the end, I expect them to finish it. Polly bowled an over, and I felt we didn’t read the situation (should have gone after Pollard, rather than Narine).”
According to Pooran, the team is bonding as a family off the cricket field as well.
Meanwhile, captain Kieron Pollard, who was dismissed first ball in the super over, said he took full responsibility for TKR’s loss.
“I take full responsibility for that (the Super Over defeat). It has been challenging (to score). You have seen all teams struggling, but having said that, we need to play with smarts. I thought we were short, but we bowled well. After the wicket of Nicholas, we should have been tighter, instead of giving freebies to Romario, but these things happen. (Hosein’s catch) That was fantastic. The way he has been going throughout the tournament was fantastic. And the way he came and bowled the last over, defended 8 and took us to the last over, showed his talent,” Pollard said in the post-match interview.

<<Shepherd reflects>>
Romario Shepherd, from Tucber Park Cricket Club in New Amsterdam, said he was confident in bowling that super over.
“The coach told me before I went out to bat that I would bowl the over. I was confident. The wicket on the first ball was important, it put them on the backfoot. I’m pleased, I’m developing with the bat also. I’m going out there and finishing games for us also. Every victory for us is important. We didn’t want to go three down.
“Warriors have two wins in four matches, both victories came against TKR.