The reigning champion Trinbago Knight Riders will be up against Barbados Royals in the fourth match of CPL 2021, on Friday, 27 August. Both teams started their campaign with defeats.
The Knight Riders finally tasted a defeat after winning 12 matches across two seasons in a row. They failed to chase down 143 against Guyana Amazon Warriors.
The batting was not abysmal, but their failure to convert those starts hurt them in the end. Sunil Narine did well as an opener, and he is likely to retain the position. Tim Seifert struggled to get going, scoring only one boundary for his 29-ball 23.
Ravi Rampaul and Isuru Udana were expensive, but the spinners did a terrific job of containing their opponents. Narine and Akeal Hosein both conceded just over four an over. They are likely to go unchanged.
The Royals, meanwhile, fell 24 short of a target of the 176 set by St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Their openers need to put more money on their wicket, given their brittle middle order. Johnson Charles smashed three boundaries, played a dot, and got out the next ball.
One good thing from yesterday’s clash was Sai Hope’s batting. Averaging just over 10 across the last 10 matches, Hope looked comfortable, top-scoring with 44. However, he needs to show more urgency.
On the bowling front, Mohammad Amir and Oshane Thomas were economical, but their hard work were undone by Jason Holder and Thisara Perera. Between them, Holder and Perera conceded 83 in seven overs.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Most batters struggled against spin on an opening day. Narine and Hosein were parsimonious, and made handy contributions with bat as well. So pick both in your fantasy team.
- Lendl Simmons got out cheaply in the last match, but given his recent form for West , you can take a punt on him.
- Hope looked comfortable in the last match. He is a good option for a fantasy team.
Probable XI:
Trinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard (c), Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Colin Munro, Tim Siefert, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Isuru Udana, Ravi Rampaul, Jayden Seales, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein
Barbados Royals: Jason Holder (c), Shai Hope (wk), Johnson Charles, Glenn Phillips, Oshane Thomas, Mohammad Amir, Azam Khan, Kyle Mayers, Thisara Perera, Ashley Nurse, Hayden Walsh
Prediction:
The Knight Riders seems a superior side. They should register their first victory.