Points leaders Jamaica Tallawahs and Guyana Amazon Warriors will play on Providence’s bowler friendly pitch when they clash for the first time in this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) here in Guyana. In CPL match nine, it will be a case of the powerhouse Tallawahs which is led by power hitting batsman Chris Gayle against the consistent and purposeful Amazon Warriors.
Both teams have gotten off to good starts, playing smart cricket prior to this match to remain unbeaten. Gayle’s specials in the first two
Dwayne SmithChris Gayle
matches gave the Tallawahs the tempo they needed. While a collective effort by the Warriors has given them two important wins to be joined on points atop the table with the Tallawahs.
However, this time around the pitch is to be of some worry as would Gayle or Kumar Sangakkara Russell for the Tallawahs or Dwayne Smith or Martin Guptill for the Warriors. On previous occasions, matches played here turned out to be low scorers in bowler dominated encounters.
As a result, team selection is very important to this match and both teams are expected to make changes because the pitch at Providence is well known for its slow and low nature. It also aids the spinners somewhat. In that case the changes might not be an option for slower bowlers but for batsmen or players who are familiar with the track and can play the spinners well.
As with any team he plays for, Gayle is expected to lead with the bat along with Chadwick Walton and Shakib Al Hassan, who are expected to play key roles. Guyanese batsman Jonathan Foo who is in the Tallawahs line up but yet to play a game, could get his first game because of his familiarity with the pitch. Foo’s inclusion may be further justified with the Tallawahs resting Andre Russell for this match. Andre McCarthy or all-rounder Rovman Powell could make way for left arm spinner Gary Mathurin.
Meanwhile, the Warriors may go for off-spinner Steven Jacobs instead of VeerasammyPermaul. His selection can add to the Warriors’ cause, especially since the aforementioned Tallawahs’ top order includes three left-handers. West Indies U-19 captain ShimronHetmyer can also make his CPL debut to prop up the Warriors batting which look feeble in the middle and lower orders. If Hetmyer and Jacobs were to play it would more than likely be at the expense of Paul Wintz and Permaul or even big hitting all-rounder Christopher Barnwell.
However, if the Providence pitch plays differently and the teams remain unchanged, then the spectators will be in for an exhilarating match with key players like Gayle, Sangakkara, Shakib and Dale Steyn for the Tallawahs and Smith, Guptill, Chris Lynn and SohairTanvir for the host.
The toss will be important with teams traditionally opting to bowl and most cases they are successful in their run chase. There is rain in the air and that can be a concern as well where Duckworth Lewis may come in to play. Not to forget the ever present dew which will make gripping the ball in the night a tedious task.
In last year’s encounter at Providence between these teams not a ball was bowled in a complete washout, the first such instance at Providence in CPL.
The Warriors are looking to press home the advantage and to defend their home territory while the Tallawahs will look to reign on their parade to maintain their pole position.
Jamaica- Chris Gayle (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Kumar Sangakkara, ImadWasim, Dale Steyn, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Andre McCarthy, Jonathan Foo, Alex Ross, Keswick Williams, Nkrumah Bonner, GareyMathurin, Timroy Allen and Oshane Thomas.
Guyana- Martin Guptill (captain), SohailTanvir, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, RayadEmrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammad, Christopher Barnwell, VeerasammyPermaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan.
The match is scheduled to start at 19:00 hrs.
