CPL 2019: Trinbago Knight Riders vs Jamaica Tallawahs, Match 3, Port of Spain: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

The defending champions, Trinbago Knight Riders, will play their second match of CPL 2019 in Port of Spain on Thursday against Jamaica Tallawahs, who will open their campaign.

The Knight Riders got their campaign off to a fine start against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Jimmy Neesham starring in a 11-run win. Neesham scored a 30-ball 33 and picked 3/18 to ensure the Knight Riders came away with victory.

However, there were worrying signs with their batting. The top three combined for just 17 runs, with Sunil Narine dismissed for nought, and had it not been for the middle order trio of Neesham, Denesh Ramdin and Kieron Pollard, Trinbago wouldn’t have posted the 152/7 they did.

That top order wobble is something Jamaica will look to target. In Jerome Taylor and Oshane Thomas, they have two absolute weapons. Throw in Andre Russell’s abilities with the ball – usually overshadowed by his immense big-hitting capabilities – and the fact that he is joined in that batting line-up by captain Chris Gayle, you get an idea just how strong this line-up is.

The defending champions will be threatened.

Head to head

There have been 14 encounters between these two sides. Jamaica have dominated the rivalry, in that they have won 9 of those matches to Trinbago’s 4. Last year, both teams won a match each.

Key players

Jimmy JimmyNeesham (Trinbago Knight Riders): One thing was evident from that first match. Everything good about Trinbago had Neesham at the centre of it. He was around to rescue the side after their poor start with the bat, and he was also the enforcer with the ball, taking three wickets. Jamaica will have noted his importance.

Andre Russell (Jamaica Tallawahs): There are few players who have reworked general understandings about T20 cricket like Russell. He did that with his unbelievable efforts in chases during the IPL this year, and if he can capture anything approaching half that form for the CPL, Jamaica will be just fine.

Likely XI

Trinbago Knight Riders: Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine, Tion Webster, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Jimmy Neesham, Kieron Pollard (c), Javon Searles, Seekkuge Prasanna, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Mohammad Hasnain

Jamaica Tallawahs: Chris Gayle, Glenn Phillips (wk), George Worker, Chadwick Walton, Kennar Lewis, Andre Russell (c), Rovman Powell, Imran Khan, Jerome Taylor, Oshane Thomas, Shamar Springer

Prediction

Jamaica to get one over the defending champions with a victory in their opener.