VINODE MAMCHAN
A full house will is expected when the top of the table Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 clash between the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors take place at the Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain from 8 pm.
Both teams have 10 points from seven matches each, but the defending champion team TKR is on top the six-team standings with a better net run rate.
The Tallawahs also have 10 points but they have played nine matches. A win by any of the two teams tonight will see them having a great chance at finishing either at the top or second in the prelims and this will give them two chances at making the finals. Captain of the TKR team Dwayne Bravo looked a pleased man during the press conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of-Spain, yesterday saying that his team is not going to be overconfident but the focus is the key.
He said, “We have played some good cricket and every match goes by we are seeing players improving. We are still working on certain aspects of our game and we will be ready for Guyana come match time. We know a number of their players, so we are prepared. Having said that Guyana is a very good team and hence the reason they are equal with us on points. We are going to have a fight on our hands but we are taking each game one step at a time and looking to get that win before we play them in their own backyards.”
Bravo’s opposite number Rayad Emrit is also confident of doing well. “We always have a good battle with TKR. We know they are playing at home but we are still confident of beating them. The boys have really fought well this season and hence the reason we are now battling for one of the top two spots. We have three matches to go and it is important that we stick to our plan and play as well as we have been doing to achieve our goal.”
TKR manager Colin Borde also shared his views: “The approach to the home matches will be treated as all matches are, which is with the intention of winning. It’s important that we keep momentum and belief. Currently, we do have a few niggles here and there as we have played a lot of games and these things happen as a result. The rest and recovery periods in both Barbados and St Kitts have served us well as our medical and support team have worked tirelessly with the players in keeping them as fresh as can be.”
He added with the TKR at the top of the standings the team is not going to let our foot off the gas, the team is going for the kill, as the TKR wants to top the prelims. “Ideally we would love to give all players an opportunity to play in the games as we feel they can all contribute given the opportunity.
Based on a needs assessment, the team is always selected and so if we feel that there is a specific role to play, then opportunities will certainly be presented.
Borde continued, “It’s important to stay in the moment when you are at home and concentrate on the process of playing each ball. We want to secure one of the top two spots and each game can present this chance. We don't think too far ahead of any game and stay involved in the upcoming game. He warned that Guyana is not a team to be underestimated. We will want to pull one on them here in Trinidad and go across there with a win under our belt because Guyana playing at home is a very formidable team. They have always have been and that has not changed.”
Lynn goes home after Friday
Meanwhile, the TKR has added Colin Ingram to their squad to replace Chris Lynn who returns to Australia after the Knight Riders’ final home game on Friday against Barbados Tridents.
Ingram has played 40 times for South Africa in ODI and T20 Internationals, making three hundred and four fifties. He has also played in the T20 Blast, Big Bash and Pakistan Super League.
An explosive middle-order batsman who can bowl effective leg spin, Ingram will join the squad ahead of their match against Guyana Amazon Warriors on 9 September at Providence Stadium, Guyana.
Speaking about the departure of Lynn and arrival of Ingram, Venky Mysore, Director of Trinbago Knight Riders said: “Losing a player of the calibre of Chris Lynn is a blow for any team but Colin Ingram is a proven performer and an outstanding T20 player, who will add firepower to the top order and a useful bowling option as well. We are delighted to have him join Team TKR for the conclusion of Hero CPL 2018.”