Jamaica Tallawahs and St Lucia Zouks face off each other in the third match of the Caribbean Premier League 2020.
Team Preview
St Lucia Zouks is going to miss plenty of quality players especially the big man Chris Gayle who was the fresh signings for the franchise. St Lucia has been a poor side in Caribbean T20 League, making into the playoffs just once in all seasons. Darren Sammy will lead the side one more time. Andre Fetcher is expected to open for Zouks along with Rahkeem Cornwall who will also provide the spin option on this track. Without Colin Ingram and Rilee Rossouw, the middle-order would be a big problem. Mohammed Nabi can be promoted in batting order along with Najibullah Zadran. Saad Bin Zafar or Roston Chase could be an extra spin option for Zouks.
Meanwhile, Jamaica Tallawahs looks great on paper, despite losing Gayle in the auction. They would have relied on the local players more and of course, the skipper Russell who is playing his last season for Jamaica. Phillips and Walton would open for Tallawahs. The middle-order could be a worrying sign for them but for firepowers, they have Brathwaite and the skipper himself to solve issues. The ground suits spinners most and in this section, they have two quality spinners Mujib Ur Rahman and Sandeep Lamichhane who can change the game within few balls.
Pitch Report
The Brian Lara Stadium will host the match between St Lucia and Jamaica. Due to the sluggish behavior of the surface, it would offer plenty of help to spinners. The captain might go with an extra spinner to take more advantage from the surface. Chasing would be tricky against the spin as we saw on opening day. A score above 150 would be a competitive total.
Possible XI
Jamaica Tallawahs
Andre Russell (C), Sandeep Lamichhane, Carlos Brathwaite, Rovman Powell, Glenn Phillips, Chadwick Walton, Oshane Thomas, Asif Ali, Fidel Edwards, Nicholas Kirton, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
St Lucia Zouks
Mohammad Nabi, Daren Sammy (C), Andre Fletcher, Kesrick Williams, Chemar Holder, Obed McCoy, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kimani Melius, Leniko Boucher (WK), Kavem Hodge, Saad Bin Zafar
Key Players
Jamaica Tallawahs
Andre Russell – A hard hitter and effective with the new ball
Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Dangerous on a spinning track
St Lucia Zouks
Mohammad Nabi – Acceleration in batting and the quality spin
Rahkeem Cornwall – Known for hard-hitting and tight bowling in middle-overs