The rosters for the six teams competing in the 2024 season of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) were, on Monday morning, completed during the tournament’s annual players’ draft.
There, defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors, who were only missing three players, completed their squad with a mixture of all-rounders and batsmen.
Manager Leon Johnson revealed the Amazon Warriors’ picks, which consisted of Barbadian all-rounder Raymon Reifer, who was drafted in Round 12; Guyanese bowling all-rounder Ronaldo Alimohamed, who was drafted in Round 13 and Guyanese opening batsman Matthew Nandu, who was drafted in Round 16 as one of two emerging players for the 2024 season.
As such, Reifer and Alimohamed became the only two new faces in the GAW line-up with 14 players returning from their championship run in 2023; the only exception being Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who, however, was a member of the Amazon Warriors’ squad in 2022.
During the draft, commentator and analyst Nikhil Uttamchandani assessed the picks and what they bring to the Amazon Warriors’ outfit.
“Obviously, three picks for them and one of them being Matthew Nandu, who was with them last year; he goes back into that emerging lot,” Uttamchandani shared.
“Given the fact that they’ve lost Odean Smith, the Raymon Reifer one is someone we know who is so experienced, he’s won this tournament with the Barbados Tridents five years ago but what I love that he provides this team, is flexibility. First of all, he’s a left-arm seamer, so he gives them some variation that they’ve missed in previous seasons, but he can bat pretty much anywhere, from numbers three to seven, and I think he can be fitted in with that strong Guyanese core at any stage of the tournament and you know what you’re gonna get from him.”
Raymon Reifer is no stranger to Guyanese squads and will fit right in with the Amazon Warriors
The CPL commentator further stated about Guyana’s picks, “The Ronaldo Alimohamed one is an interesting one. He’s 25 years old, just made his First-Class debut for Guyana earlier this year. He took a five-for in his first season and he can swing the ball for sure, but he can also bat. So, maybe an investment for the future looking to him, but I love the three picks that they’ve made. It covers all bases in an otherwise, very strong team.”
Meanwhile, Kyle Mayers was the first pick of the draft, joining the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. He will be joined at the Patriots by Mikyle Louis, Ryan John and Guyanese spinner Veerasammy Permaul.
The St Lucia Kings signed recent World Cup break-out star Aaron Jones of the USA who qualifies to play at the CPL as a local player as he has a Barbados passport. The Kings also added Khari Campbell, Johann Jeremiah, Mikkel Govia and Akeem Auguste to their artillery.
Young Guyanese fast-bowling sensation Isai Thorne will head to the Barbados Royals alongside Kadeem Alleyne and Nathan Sealy, while Roshon Primus, Justin Greaves, Jahmar Hamilton, Teddy Bishop, and Kofi James were snapped up by the CPL’s newest franchise, the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
Ronaldo Alimohamed follows up his debut First-Class season in 2024 with a maiden CPL stint
Finally, the Trinbago Knight Riders, after initial announcements, needed only add emerging players to their squad, spots which will be filled with their selection of Nathan Edward and Shaquere Parris.
The Republic Bank CPL will bowl off on August 29 in Antigua with a clash between the home team and the Patriots. Local franchise and defending champions, the Amazon Warriors will get their campaign going on August 30 against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
