CPL 2020: Match 3, Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Lucia Zouks, Preview – Daren Sammy and Co faced with massive spin challenge

The Zouks beat the Tallawahs both times last season.

Published - 18 Aug 2020, 17:01 IST | Updated - 18 Aug 2020, 17:01 IST

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In the 2019 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Jamaica Tallawahs had Zahir Khan Pakteen and a few youngsters in their spin department. However, the Afghanistan spinner will now be turning out for the St Lucia Zouks. Nevertheless, the Tallawahs have roped in two of the most potent young spinners doing the rounds in world cricket- Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nepal’s Sandeep Lamicchanne.

It goes without saying that the Zouks’ batsmen can’t go hammer and tongs at the spin-duo courtesy their accuracy. The Tallawahs also have Ramaal Lewis, who was of their most economical bowlers last season. Last season, the Zouks beat their opponents on both instances, though apart from that they could win only one contest. In 2019, Daren Sammy and Co finished fifth in the points table.

The Tallawahs had a worser campaign as they could fetch only two wins last time around and ended at the bottom of the points table. In 2019, they also didn’t have the services of Andre Russell, who missed most part of the tournament after being hit by a beamer. Both teams are scheduled to play their respective first matches in the upcoming edition in the second of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Playing Combinations

Jamaica Tallawahs

Glenn Phillips was the Tallawahs’ leading run-scorer last time by a country mile. It won’t be a surprise if the team pins hope on the New Zealander yet again. Chadwick Walton is experienced as well. Jermaine Blackwood had some decent outings against Pakistan and he’s in good shape as well.

In the middle-order, Jamaica has a lot of firepower in the form of Dre-Russ, Asif Ali and Rovman Powell. Carlos Brathwaite played one good knock last time and he will be looking for consistent shows with both bat and ball. The onus will also be on Mujeeb and Sandeep to make breakthroughs.

Predicted XI

Glenn Phillips (wk), Chadwick Walton, Jermaine Blackwood, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Asif Ali, Carlos Brathwaite, Oshane Thomas, Sandeep Lamichhane, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fidel Edwards/Ramaal Lewis

St Lucia Zouks

Andre Fletcher and Rahkeem Cornwall did a chunk of the work for the Zouks in the 2019 CPL. Even this time, a lot will depend on how the team performs in the T20 tournament. Cornwall also scored a couple of blistering fifties against the Tallawahs. Leniko Boucher is no mug with the bat either.

The Afghan duo of Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi will play crucial roles in the middle order. Sammy and Hodge can also tonk the willow. In bowling, Obed McCoy and Kesrick Williams will have to shoulder responsibility in the pace bowling arena. Nabi and Zahir Khan are the spinners.

Predicted XI

Rahkeem Cornwall, Andre Fletcher, Leniko Boucher (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Kavem Hodge, Daren Sammy (C), Chemar Holder, Kesrick Williams, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Obed McCoy