Guyana Amazon Warriors will want to continue their winning ways while Jamaica Tallawahs will look for a turnaround when the two face each other today at 2.15 hours today in match eight of the Caribbean Premier League.
Both teams have secured one win from their two matches so far, but head-to-head across every season dating back to 2013, Warriors hold a 10-6 lead over the Tallawahs.
Warriors have not hit their mark with the bat as yet. In the first match against Trinbago Knight Riders they posted 144 for five in a losing effort while against St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, they stumbled to a three-wicket win chasing just 128 for victory.
The standout batsman has been Shimron Hetmyer who has stroked two half centuries in as many matches and currently boasts a strike rate of 152. The left-hander has shown good temperament so far and will look to steer the batting line up.
Along with Hetmyer, Ross Taylor has proven to be instrumental in forging consistent partnerships in the middle and lending his experience and patience to the West Indian.
The duo’s union comes at a time when the Warriors’ opening pair is yet to give them a flying start. Brandon King has scored nought and 10 while Chandrapaul Hemraj has managed three and a run-a-ball 19.
Like the openers, explosive hitters Nicholas Pooran and Sherfane Rutherford, are yet to come to the ‘biggest party in sport,’ having contributed just 28 runs collectively.
Nevertheless, coming off a victory, it would be unlikely for the Warriors to change their batting line-up in light of the fact that most players are now returning to competitive cricket after a five-month hiatus.
The bowling unit has already shed its rustiness. Imran Tahir, Chris Green and Romario Shepherd all bowled with an economy rate of 10 and above in their opening match but bounced back to produce superb performances in the second encounter.
The medium pacers have done the work so far with Keemo Paul picking up his best figures in the format of four for 19 and while young Afghanistan quick, Naveen-Ul-Haq has not gotten amongst the wickets, he has shown his ability to be decisive and utilizes his offsetting bowling action to his advantage.
Despite the consistency with the bowling unit and eight group matches remaining, Warriors would be tempted to bring in one of the two emerging players in left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd or off-spinning all-rounder, Kevin Sinclair since the rules require them to play at least five matches.
Looking at the Tallawahs, they began the tournament with vigor and showed promises of a team that had placed their off-field issues behind them.
Their batting line up delivered in the first contest versus St. Lucia Zouks as overseas pair, Glen Phillips and Asif Ali powered them to victory.
However, with the likes of Andre Russell, Rovman Powell and Carlos Brathwaite the unit was kept quiet as they managed a below-par 138 against Knight Riders. Phillips again showed his value with a half century.
Phillips seems to be the lone show for the top order with Chadwick Walton and Nicholas Kirton failing to score against Knight Riders and contributing just two and one respectively in their opening match.
Tallawahs may be tempted to bring in Jermaine Blackwood or Nkrumah Bonner to add stability to the batting line up.
Contrary to their batting, the bowling unit looks a bit more settled with Fidel Edwards turning back the clock a few years and Mujeeb Ur Rahaman showing his skill in the Power Play. With the options of Brathwaite, Russell and Powel, the seam department looks imposing.
Tallawahs also has a barrage of spinners with their ace, Sandeep Lamichhane leading the way to complement the faster bowlers. However, left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who played for the Warriors from 2013 to 2018 and Ramaal Lewis, who is part of the Guyana Jaguars four-day franchise have been expensive and alternated to one match each. One of them could be left out.
Guyana Amazon Warriors: Chris Green, Brandon King, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Ross Taylor, Sherfane Rutherford, Nicholas Pooran, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Imran Tahir, Anthony Bramble, Ashmead Nedd, Kevin Sinclair, Odean Smith, Naveen-Ul-Haq, Jessy Singh, Kissondath Mangram
Jamaica Tallawahs: Andre Russell, Sandeep Lamichhane, Carlos Brathwaite, Rovman Powell, Glenn Phillips, Chadwick Walton, Oshane Thomas, Asif Ali, Fidel Edwards, Preston McSween, Nicholas Kirton, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Veerasammy Permaul, Ryan Persaud, Ramaal Lewis, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
