VINODE MAMCHAN
vinode.mamchan@guardian.co.tt
The Trinbago Knight Riders will be looking to repeat as Hero CPL champions when they face four-times finalist Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final of the 2018 edition at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando.
The TKR stormed into the title-match with a 20-run victory over the star-studded St. Kitts /Nevis Patriots on Friday night. The umpires will call the play at 5 pm today and Dwayne Bravo's men will be coming hard at the Guyana Amazon Warriors outfit, as the TKR seek its third title, while the Warriors go in search of its first.
Yesterday, Bravo was upbeat about his team's chances. "We just need to continue focussing on what we know well and give it our best shot. We are in the final and we will have to battle a very good team. The two best teams are in the finals and the game is expected to be a great one."
TKR goes into the game having lost two successive matches to the visitors but this does not phase Bravo: "We are in the final we need to put what happened before us and just go out there and play our best game. Once this is done we will be very well. The boys are ready for the finals and we are looking forward to pleasing our fans."
The Chennai Super Kings player spoke of the importance of home support. "We are at home now for this finals and our fans are going to pack the ground to support us. Their support and love are very necessary for us and we are looking forward to a packed house come Sunday. There were a few seat available in the last match because it was a Friday and traffic could have been a factor but the game is Sunday and people can arrange early and come down for the game."
There is a fitness cloud hanging over Sunil Narine: "I want to congratulate Sunil for coming out to play with an injured shoulder and still performing so well for us. Just minutes before the toss he was not sure of playing but he came through and battled like a true champion to play a great part in us winning." Narine finished with 2/20 off his four overs against the Patriots.
Bravo was uncertain as to whether Narine will feature today. "We will continue to get updates on his injury and a decision will be made just before play start, as to whether he plays in the game. He is an important part of our set up and we are all hoping that he can make it for this big clash."
Bravo's opposite number Chris Green was also confident in his team's chances in this final. "The team has been to the finals on three occasions before and did not win but this is a new final and we are going in there full of confidence. A number of players have put their hands up for selection and this is a good thing for us. We are still sweating over the fitness of Keemo Paul but we are hopeful that he will be all right."
The TKR has won 18 of their last 25 CPL matches over the past two seasons but Green is not daunted: "They are an impressive unit we know of their record but we are going in to battle them and we are not worried about their record. We defeated them on the last two occasions which have given us momentum at the back end and we are confident going into the game."
Initially, Green was picked as a cover for the South African batsman Cameron Delport and was kept on when Shoaib Malik returned to Pakistan for a training camp ahead of the Asia Cup.
Green, who plays for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, has put up impressive performances for Amazon Warriors in this year's CPL. With his off-spin, the all-rounder has bagged five scalps at an economy rate of just 6.5. He also compiled a crucial unbeaten hand of 25 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
TEAMS
Trinbago Knight Riders Squad: Amir Jangoo, Anderson Phillips, Brendon McCullum, colin Ingram, Colin Munro, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin,Dwayne Bravo, Hamza Tariq, Javon Searles, Shannon Gabriel, Kevon Cooper, Khary Pierre, Nikita Miller, Muhammad Ali Khan, Fawad Ahmed, Sunil Narine, Terrence Hinds.
Guyana Amazon Warriors Squad: Chris Green (c), Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Malik, Chadwick Walton, Cameron Delport, Rayad Emrit, Imran Tahir, Jason Mohammed, Luke Ronchi, Veerasammy Permaul, Roshon Primus, Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo, Gajanand Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Saurabh Netravalkar, Akshaya Persaud.