After weeks of fascinating contestation, in which heart-stopping outcomes were birthed from impossible situations as cricket’s gladiators battled for primacy in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2019 tournament, things have progressed to the stage wherein four of the six participating teams will battle each other for the right to be considered the pre-eminent team.
Captains Carlos Brathwaite, Shoaib Malik and Jason Holder at the pre-match press conference
That stage, “the playoff matches”, will commence today from 11:00h with Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots locking proverbial horns in the first eliminator match; to be followed by the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) similarly engaged against the Barbados Tridents from 15:30h. Both these matches will be played at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
Kieron Pollard addressing the media
At a pre-match press conference, each of the four captains was upbeat about his chances of success on the eve of this Super Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.
GAW Captain Shoaib Malik speaks
Having completed the perfect ten, GAW Captain Shoaib Malik was at his usual calm and composed best. Malik said the team has been going in the right direction, and players have been performing consistently.
“Everyone is fit and ready, and I am looking forward for the playoffs,” he declared.
This experienced campaigner, in a confident approach, revealed that being in an unbeaten situation is nothing new. “Back home (in Pakistan), I captained Sialkot Stallions and we won (matches) continuously, 26 or 28 matches; so there is no over-confidence”, Malik explained.
The Pakistani, who has so far scored 281 runs this season, with seven unbeaten innings, revealed that he feels no pressure in these situations. “Everyone has their own expectations, and a lot of people have asked me when will we win the title; but this is a new year and a new season, and we are just focused on the playoff matches first”, Malik explained.
Tridents aiming to invade the Amazon
Fresh from two wins in their last matches, the Jason Holder-led Tridents are confident as they head into the match-up against the GAW.
The Tridents are a side that is studded with the likes of Alex Hales, currently struggling; JP Duminy, and Shakib Al Hassan as the big overseas players. Holder, their captain, has praised the bowlers for reviving the Tridents’ hopes in this tournament.
Chris Green and Imran Tahir have each taken 12 wickets for GAW
Speaking about Shakib’s presence in the team, Holder said he brings that added strength in all three departments. “The team has been sticking together, and that has been a plus for us”, he said.
The West Indies Test Captain has acknowledged that the GAW have been performing as a unit. “In the match against Jamaica Tallawahs, where GAW were 8-4, other players stepped up. Malik showed his experience, and Sherfane Rutherford as well,” Holder posited.
Lendl Simmons has had a dream season with the bat, topping the batting charts
Holder has said it would be a tough game against the GAW, but on the given day, the team that plays the better cricket would be successful. “We will not take GAW lightly, and we are looking forward to dethrone them at home”, he disclosed.
Tridents star player this season has been Hayden Walsh Jr. He has taken 17 wickets, while Johnson Charles has scored 326 runs.
Patriots looking to conquer Knight Riders
The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and the TKR have been involved in one of the best matches of the tournament — the super over contest which saw Carlos Brathwaite leading the charge.
On the eve of their match, Brathwaite disclosed that the Patriots have thus far been finding the right combination.
“We are looking forward for tomorrow’s game against TKR,” he said. “We are not concentrating on TKR’s form”.
Sunil Narine has not been featuring in the TKR starting XI, but Brathwaite and his men are expecting him to make his return in this match. “We will be planning for him, and if not, we will adapt to conditions; but there is a 99% chance that he will play”, Brathwaite predicted.
Evin Lewis has scored 256 runs for the Patriots’ cause, while Rayad Emrit and Sheldon Cottrell have each taken 11 wickets. Thus the Patriots correctly fancy their chances at success.
Defending champs battling to rebound
It is not an ideal position for defending champions TKR to find themselves in, having lost matches in a cluster. Captain Kieron Pollard has said the TKR have had to take the long route to the final, but the team is confident of success. “We have it in us, and it is just a matter of getting a win under our belt”, he has said.
Hayden Walsh, with 17 scalps, is the leading wicket-taker in CPL 2019
Newly-appointed West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard has said Sunil Narine’s absence from the TKR team has been a big loss. He explained that Narine has to undergo a fitness test that would determine his selection.
Pollard is pleased with the talent shown by the young players in the tournament; even Holder’s captaincy has excited him.
To be the best we have to beat the best, Pollard explained. He said Lendl Simmons has been performing well with the bat, but the opening combination has been unsettled because of Narine’s absence. “We will look to bring the best combination and get the best results”, the determined Pollard has declared.
Tickets for the final match, to be played in Trinidad, are presently on sale in Guyana.
