*THE CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH 4- SAINT LUCIA KINGS VS GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
It feels like only yesterday when St Lucia competed and won convincingly. Their matches, without a doubt, are coming thick and fast and to imagine that they will be playing their third game in just the fourth game of this years CPL is insane and nothing less than a flabbergasted thought. After falling on the wrong side of the result, the Duplisses led side rose back to strength with a 54 run dominating victory that turned the tides towards their favour and should certainly be a warming and momentum driving factor heading into their game vs the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
The Warriors, led by Shimron Hetmyer, have a power-packed squad at their disposal. They have two of the most powerful strikers, Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haria are two promising cricketers.
Along with Hetmyer, the middle order has the likes of Shai Hope, Azam Khan and Dwaine Pretorius. Their batting has enough depth with the likes of Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith likely to bat at No.9 and 10. Imran Tahir brings in loads of experience. By the looks of it, it’s an experienced side that has the right mixture of youth and old age cricketers who are still in the groove and ready to give it their all to achieve glory. It will be their first game of the season and they would be aiming at getting on top of a tired St Lucia Kings who seem to be playing continuous cricket.
*ST LUCIA KINGS PROBABLE XI:*
Johnson Charles, Faf du Plessis(c), Sadrack Descarte, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Rostom Chase, Roshon Primus, Matthew Forde, Khary Piere, Alzarri Joseph, Chris Sole
What was clear in their batting performance last game was the collectiveness with which they batted. None of the batters scored a fifty but all chipped in with handy scores in order to get that score above 200. It showed great mental toughness and the fact that they had a clear plan and clarity in their minds. They batted with a set tempo and the right intent and we can look forward to something more like this on a wicket that is expected to stay the same in terms of stroke making.
Matthew Forde who got three wickets in his kitty with a game changing spell could be in for some more fun with his bowling partnership, in tandem, with Alzarri Joseph the Caribbean speedster. The two have been hitting the right straps and could trouble the Guyana batters who are playing their first game of the tournament.
*GUYANA WARRIORS PROBABLE XI:*
Chandrapaul Hemraj, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer(c), Azam Khan, Dwaine Pretorius, Keemo Paul, Odean Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Imran Tahir
The consistency and the hunger of Gurbaz keeps him ahead of Zazai as we pick the future playing XI of the Warriors. The quality that he brings to the table, having represented so many teams across these last two years is supreme. Not only has he been aggressive but has also steadied the ship with a commendable level of maturity. Gurbaz at the top of the order is a boon because of his mixed style of play and the partnership upfront could be a defining one.
Shai Hope, the veteran and a legend of the ODI format, recently made his comeback in the T20I series vs India. He made sure that WI don’t miss the services of an anchor like batter and he will be ensuring something similar even tomorrow to the Guyana warriors. He plays according to the situation and adapts well to the scenario around him and with guys like Azam Khan and Hetmyer around him playing with freedom and alot of proactiveness, he fits the bill and should be the right candidate for that no3 spot.
On a wicket that is flat, the role of Tahir magnifies. With his experience in leagues over the years and the immense control that he brings to the table, the South African leggie is only going to feel at home playing here. Can’t wait to watch him spin the web around the opponents.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR ST LUCIA:*
Highest run getter- Faf Duplisses/Johnson Charles
Highest wicket taker- Alzarri Joseph/Matthew Forde
*FOR GUYANA WARRIORS:*
Highest run getter- Shai Hope/Rehmatullah Gurbaz
Highest wicket taker- Imran Tahir/Romario Shepherd
*FOR THE GAME:*
St Lucia kings to win and get hold of their second win of the tournament.