The biggest party in sport, the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, will bowl off today, Wednesday August 16, at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia. Defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs will face home team St Lucia Kings in the tournament’s opener, while the Guyana Amazon Warriors will play the Kings on Saturday August 19 at the same venue.
On the eve of the tournament, captain of the St Lucia Kings, Faf du Plessis, was full of confidence in the team’s ability.
“We are feeling really good. The full squad is available. We will have a practice on the eve. Everybody is fit, and we want to make sure all the bodies are strong and are ready to go. Some new faces, some local guys, are coming through, and I am excited to see what they can do. The best thing to do is start your campaign on a high, and we love playing at home in front of fans; so, I am excited,” Faf said.
According to CPL CEO Pete Russell, it is always great to have a warm welcome in St Lucia.
Justin Clairmonte, Sales Manager of Jeffrey and Jeffrey Ltd, sole agents for Guardian Group; Kings Head Coach Daren Sammy, Kings captain Faf du Plessis, and CPL CEO Pete Russell at the pre-match press conference (Brandon Corlette photo)
“It is great to be back. We always have a good welcome here. So I think we are excited for the tournament, and all the teams are well matched. We can’t wait to see all the fans out there,” the CPL CEO said.
First ball of the opening match bowls off at 19:00h Eastern Caribbean Time.
Barbados Royals squad (CPL 2023): Rovman Powell (C), Laurie Evans, Alick Athanaze, Rahkeem Cornwall, Donavan Ferreira, Justin Greaves, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Roelof van der Merwe, Akeem Jordan, Joshua Bishop, Obed McCoy, Qais Ahmed, Ramon Simmonds, Maheesh Theekshana, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Kevin Wickham.
Guyana Amazon Warriors squad (CPL 2023): Imran Tahir (capt), Romario Shepherd (VC), Shimron Hetmyer Kevlon Anderson, Azam Khan, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shai Hope, Mohammad Haris, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Saim Ayub, Keemo Paul, Dwaine Pretorius, Odean Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Gudakesh Motie, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Matthew Nandu.
Jamaica Tallawahs squad (CPL 2023): Brandon King (C), Jermaine Blackwood, Shamarh Brooks, Alex Hales, Amir Jangoo, Kirk McKenzie, Steven Taylor, Fabian Allen, Ben Cutting, Chris Green, Imad Wasim, Raymon Reifer, Shamar Springer, Nicholson Gordon, Joshua James, Mohammad Amir, Naveen-ul-haq, Hayden Walsh.
St Kitts & Nevis Patriots squad (CPL 2023): Ambati Rayudu, Joshua Da Silva, Andre Fletcher, Jyd Goolie, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Dominic Drakes, Johann Layne, George Linde, Yannic Cariah, Sheldon Cottrell, Izharulhaq Naveed, Kofi James, Ashmead Nedd, Oshane Thomas.
Saint Lucia Kings squad (CPL 2023): Johnson Charles, Faf du Plessis, Leonardo Julien, Kimani Melius, Sean Williams, Roston Chase, Khary Pierre, Roshon Primus, Sikandar Raza, McKenny Clarke, Matthew Forde, Peter Hatzglou, Alzarri Joseph, Jair McAllister, Jeavor Royal, Chris Sole.
Trinbago Knight Riders squad (CPL 2023): Mark Deyal, Martin Guptill, Nicholas Pooran, Rilee Rossouw, Chadwick Walton, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Kadeem Alleyne, Jaden Carmichael, Terrance Hinds, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmed Lakanwal, Matheesha Pathirana, Jayden Seales.
