Warriors, Zouks ready to ‘bring the party’ to Providence
2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League…
By Brandon Corlette
In the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament, the first match to be played at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence will feature the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) and the St Lucia Zouks. The action begins today, Thursday September 5, from 18:00 hours local time.
Head coaches and captains of the GAW and Zouks teams
On the eve of this scintillating clash, the captains and coaches of the respective teams addressed media operatives at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. GAW Head Coach Johan Botha disclosed that team members are rearing to go after a few good days of practice at Providence. He said all the players are touching base, and the team has implemented all the necessary plans.
Captains Shoaib Malik and Darren Sammy on the eve of their teams’ clash (Shaconeil Burnette photos)
“Everyone is fit coming into the tournament, and the team is looking to get it all going”, Botha explained.
With a lot expected from batting star Shimron Hetmyer, Botha disclosed, the batsmen around Hetmyer will have to support well.
The calm and composed GAW captain Shoaib Malik said his team members have been gelling well.
“From the practice matches played, the team has been doing well. It’s like there is no senior or junior element in our team,” Malik explained. With senior players guiding their younger counterparts, Malik explained, the scenario is key for consistent success.
Shimron Hetmyer cuts late in front of Andre Fletcher in the 2018 edition of the Hero CPL
Meanwhile, St Lucia Zouks’ Head Coach James Foster shared similar sentiments as he explained that his team is ‘ready to rumble’ in this 2019 Hero CPL.
He said Rahkeem Cornwall and John Campbell were due to arrive last night, before this opening match, and the rest of the Zouks squad is already here.
Zouks’ captain Darren Sammy, one of the better T20 West Indies captains, was first and foremost happy with the change of the team name (from Stars to Zouks). He disclosed that his Zouks team will be looking to kick-start proceedings on a positive note after their ordinary campaign in 2018.
Sammy speaks on International return and Barnwell’s role
Sammy said he would be looking to perform well as team leader. He expressed his satisfaction with composition of the team, and disclosed that there are in its ranks players who can change the direction of games.
“As a player, I want to go out and perform as a player. This CPL is an audition (for) me to return in the International set-up” Sammy declared.
Having expressed his intention to lead the team from the front, Sammy said that once the team performs, the desired results will follow.
Guyanese Christopher Barnwell is playing for the St Lucia Zouks, and Sammy said every player in his team has a part to play for the Zouks to win.
“With the experience that Barnwell has in Guyana, who knows, he will play -definitely has a part to play – in Zouks winning matches,” Sammy said.
He, however, did not confirm the Guyanese all-rounder’s place in the starting XI, but because Barnwell has experience in these conditions, who knows, he will be looking to impress the locals.
GAW Squad reads: Shadab Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Shoaib Malik, Shimron Hetmyer, Ben Lauglin, Chris Green, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Brandon King, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Keagan Simmons, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble, and Clinton Pestano.
St Lucia Zouks squad: Andre Fletcher, Ronald Cato, Andre McCarthy, Keddy Lesporis, Nitish Kumar, Darren Sammy, Kesrick Williams, John Campbell, Christopher Barnwell, Thisara Perera, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jeavor Royal, Harous Viljoen, Khrismar Santokie, Fawad Ahmed, Obed McCoy, Beuran Hendricks and Kaveem Hodge.
