*THE CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE- MATCH 10: ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS VS BARBADOS ROYALS 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
We will be witnessing the clash of two sides in this tournament who are yet to get off the mark and register first points on board. Both Barbados and St Kitts have experienced losses and no results though the latter have seen more of both. The St Kitts, in back to back games, have batted poorly- not crossing even 160 and failing to show their might with the willow. Though Evin Lewis showed a bit of form last game with a 200 strike rate 48, the rest have been below par. The team would bank on Rayudu to deliver however who showed some sort of a spark with a 24 ball 32 last game. Even their bowlers have been taken to the cleaners- in the first game, the oppositions innings getting over within 17 overs in a chase and in the second attempt, they leaked almost 200 runs vs the Guyana Amazon Warriors. Both aspects of their game need to be worked upon if they are to give Barbados a fight, who too are winless in this competition till now.
To judge Barbados’s performances so far will be unfair because of the lack of game time and as a result, a small sample size. In the first game however, they received a proper beating with a 54 run loss being handed over to them in a fixture where they were a failure in both the departments. Come the second game, rain played spoilsport and we did not get to witness even a single bowl being bowled. In clarity, we would be watching two desperate sides take on one another in a bid to get 2 points. Watch out.
*ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS PROBABLE XI:*
Andre Fletcher, Evin Lewis (C), Joshua de Silva (wk), Ambati Rayudu, Sherfane Rutherford, Dominic Drakes, Corbin Bosch, Kofi James, Sheldon Cottrell, Izharulhaq Naveed, Oshane Thomas
Oshane Thomas picked up three wickets last game for 38. They were much better figures as compared to what the other bowlers displayed and his wicket taking abilities will be banked upon even on a flattish track which is set to be offered. The games here have shown us that the pitch has stayed true but with the bounce that Oshane extracts and the jump that he has, batters could fall to the trickery of the pacer. Excited to watch the lengths that he bowls to the southpaw Kyle Mayers who likes to take on the shorter length and it could be a reviting contest.
Fletcher and Lewis, two powerhouses can go berserk at the start and the two of them going berserk at the same time together could be a ‘must watch’ sight. Lewis last game showed some dangerous form and the Royals would only be hoping that something similar doesn’t get replicated again. Rayudu, who bats in the middle order, did what he does best- come out, play an impactful cameo and go out. The Kitts would be in desperation of something more from him however given his stature as a player and the experience that he brings to the table. Tomorrow could be a good day for the Indian.
*BARBADOS ROYALS PROBABLE XI:*
Rahkeem Cornwall, Kyle Mayers, Alick Athanaze, Kevin Wickham, Rovman Powell (C), Jason Holder, Donavon Ferreira (wk), Nyeem Young, Qais Ahmad, Joshua Bishop, Obed McCoy
Jason Holder’s ability to take wickets out of nowhere is a strange one but it fulfills the needs of the team. With Barbados hunting for a first win, he could be more than handful with his bag of tricks that include the famous Holder variations, to topple the opponents. How McCoy bowls alongside him taking advantage of his height with the left arm angle specially against the top heavy right handed batting order of the Kitts could be key.
Rovman Powell made a 3 ball duck the last game which wasn’t spoiled by the rains and did not feature from the batting front in the last game. He, as a captain, recently led the WI with pride vs India and did not let his batting go down. Something similar would be expected out of the hard hitting monster as he steps into his third game as skipper this season.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR ST KITTS:*
Highest run getter- Ambati Rayudu/Evin Lewis
Highest wicket taker- Oshane Thomas/Sheldon Cottrell
*FOR BARBADOS ROYALS:*
Highest run getter- Kyle Mayers/Rovman Powell
Highest wicket taker- Jason Holder/Obed McCoy
*FOR THE GAME:*
Barbados Royals to win