Undefeated Amazon Warriors, underdog Tridents meet in CPL final today

By Brandon Corlette

After weeks of entertainment across the Caribbean, “the Biggest Party in Sport” will sign off today, Saturday, October 12 from 17:00h at the Brian Lara stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad.

Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) and Barbados Tridents will battle for the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) championship trophy after defying the odds throughout the season.
For GAW, they have been sitting on the royal chair, as Brandon King has had a glorious tournament leading the batting charts with 453 runs. GAW have been led by veteran Shoaib Malik, and his inspirational style and the experience of Imran Tahir have moulded the young talents in the team.

Players Watch
King has led the batting charts with 453 runs with the highest score in CPL history – 132 – against the same Tridents team. Malik, who offers a lot in all departments, has 313 runs while King’s partner in crime, Chandrapaul Hemraj has 298 runs. The young guns in Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran and Sherfane Rutherford will add the fireworks to Warriors’ explosive batting line-up.

As he continues his search for real estate, covering yards of ground with his celebration, Tahir leads the GAW bowling charts with 15 wickets while Chris Green has 13 wickets. Romario Shepherd has continued to impress with 12 wickets this season.
Tridents have had a tough road to the final, but they have had some standout players. Hayden Walsh Jr has been the star with 21 wickets in only eight matches, leading the CPL bowling charts. Captain Jason Holder has also been a key man with the ball, bagging 14 wickets while Harry Gurney has also impressed with his variations for the Tridents.
A responsible Johnson Charles leads the Tridents’ batting chart with 376 runs while JP Duminy, who retired hurt in Qualifier 2, has 291 runs. Shakib Al Hassan, who is a big player, along with Alex Hales, will be aiming to produce big in the final.

What they said
Jason Holder: “I think we held onto our chances in majority of the games to come out on top. I thought our bowlers were outstanding to defend 160 (Qualifier 2). We were clinical with the ball today. Those guys (Ashley Nurse and Raymond Reifer) were outstanding and not easy with the wet ball. Credit to Ashley and Raymond, we were always backing ourselves to defend that target. We have done pretty well throughout this edition; many would argue that we should have won a lot of games, but we stuck together and spent a lot of time together which helps us get well as a group. Rest, recover and come back and have fun in the final.”

Shoaib Malik: “I think it’s the runs scored by the first six batters; secondly, our spinners. They have been taking wickets continuously; these are the two main successful factors (for our 11-match winning streak). We don’t want to be thinking about the next game – that puts you under pressure. I just want the team to be working hard on that particular match, stick to the basics. I have batted with so many top players, but some of his (Brandon King) shots were simply amazing. Some of the shots he played were unbelievable. I think he has a great future, not just with us, but in the West Indies as well. Hopefully, he will get good guidance going ahead. I want to thank the crowd: they have been exceptional; we want them to come to the ground and enjoy themselves.”
GAW and Tridents met in the CPL final back in 2014 which the Tridents won by eight wickets.