Crowd support key to CPL title bid, says Harper

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Guyana Amazon Warriors head coach, Roger Harper, believes crowd support will be key to his side’s success in the Caribbean Premier League starting later this month.

Amazon Warriors are two-time finalists in the tournament but are yet to be crowned champions, and are hoping they can lift the 2016 trophy when action gets underway on June 29.

“To help us achieve success on the field this year we need big crowds and we are going to try our best to play our part and aim to give our public a team to be proud of,” the former West Indies off-spinner and head coach said.

“I hope to see as many fans as possible again this year.”

Amazon Warriors have been one of the most consistent performers in the CPL. They reached the final in the inaugural 2013 season where they were beaten by Jamaica Tallawahs and repeated their feat the following year, only to be downed by Barbados Tridents in a dramatic final in St Kitts.

This year, they have strengthened significantly to include the likes of New Zealander Martin Guptill who will lead the side, along with Australians Chris Lynn and Adam Zampa, and West Indies star Dwayne Smith.

And with large crowds having become a feature at the National Stadium here over the last three seasons, Harper is again expecting a repeat for the coming campaign.

“The CPL is now just a few weeks away and there’s great excitement from everyone within the organization,” he noted.

“Guyana supporters are incredibly proud of their team and their support on match days makes Providence Stadium one of the greatest fortresses in the Caribbean.”

Amazon Warriors will raise the curtain on their home fixtures on July 7 when they take on Tallawahs, and will also clash with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Zouks over a six-day period.