CPL 2016: 5 Debutants to watch out for

The Caribbean Premier League 2016 promises to be more exciting that its last edition with the inclusion of some wonderful names who will be playing the Caribbean T20 extravaganza for the first time.

The CPL offers a very similar sort of opportunities to cricketers which the IPL does. The doors will be open for the many to come forward and showcase their skills.

Local talents along with some international stars are set to entertain the cricket-mad Caribbean fans. The World Cup winning Under- 19 Stars will also fancy their chances of playing with some of the toughest competitors in the fast-paced form of cricket.

1. Shimron Hetmyr – Guyana Amazon Warriors:

The Under-19 World Cup winning skipper, Shimron Hetmyr, will have the opportunity to graduate to the next level. Praised for his cool and natural leadership skills, Hetmyr is a gutsy cricketer who has proven himself as a tough competitor.

According to the word’s of his coach, “We identified Hetmyer as captain because we liked the way he went about it in the field,” West Indies Under-19 coach Graeme West had said before the World Cup. “He did things a little differently, he was very positive. In terms of passion and enthusiasm, you can’t fault him.”

He has first class experience and later made his U-19 debut in 2014 in the United Arab Emirates before leading his side to a triumph in the following edition in 2015-16. The left-hander scored 158 runs in six games, including back to back to fifties in the quarter-final and semi-final. This CPL can be his big break.

2. Alex Ross – Jamaica Tallawahs:

Alex Ross will be an exciting player to watch out for this season. He has a great reputation as a T20 cricketer. After an impressive debut season in 2014-15, Ross followed with 642 runs this Sheffield Shield season.

He stood second only to Travis Head in South Australia’s run list. His sparkling performances at the domestic level earned him Bradman Young Cricketer of the year.

The Melbourne-born right-hander has also done well in the Big Bash League in his debut season last year for Adelaide Strikers, earning the nickname “Sweepologist” from TV commentator thanks to his love for the sweep shot.

3. Nitish Kumar – St Lucia Zouks:

Nitish Kumar, one of four Canadians participating in this edition of the CPL, comes in with a great reputation as a batsman in his country. The 22-year-old who is fondly known as “Tendulkar” by his teammates.

Nitish was the youngest player to represent Canada in a first-class match in August 2009 and a few months later made his ODI international at the age of 15 years 273 days and became the 2nd youngest to do so.

Since then, he is been tagged as the batting mainstay of the national side and continues to take rapid strides in his career. He will be representing St Lucia Zouks.

4. AB de Villiers – Barbados Tridents:

AB de Villiers signing for Barbados tridents was perhaps the biggest news of the Caribbean Premier League 2016. AB has enough batting exploit to his name and needs no introduction at all.

The ‘Modern Maverick’, known for his innovative batting approach, will surely make an impact on the cricket crazy fans of Barbados. The brutal batsman is a superstar in the cricketing world and can tear apart any attack in the world.

His IPL numbers 3257 runs 120 matches at an average of 39.24 with a strike rate of close to 150 should be enough to speak of his batting prowess. His presence will surely be a major boost for CPL this edition.

5. Adam Zampa – Guyana Amazon Warriors:

Adam Zampa is a gutsy bowler. He has experience stupendous rise in his career this year. From making his T20 debut earlier this year against South Africa to stamping his mark in the IPL, the 24-year-old New South Wales leg-spinner has achieved great reputation within a short span of time.

He was the standout performer for Rising Pune Supergiants in the recent IPL where he impressed with the variety and control under pressure, claiming 12 wickets in five matches.

His best bowling figures of 6 wickets for 19 runs came against Sunrisers Hyderabad. His biggest streangth is that he never cracks under pressure. Guyana Amazon Warriors definitely seem to have roped in a match-winner in their squad.