CPL 2019: Barbados Tridents vs Jamaica Tallawahs, Match 20, Bridgetown: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

CPL 2019: Barbados Tridents vs Jamaica Tallawahs, Match 20, Bridgetown: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Caribbean Premier League CPL 2019

Barbados Tridents will host Jamaica Tallawahs in Match 20 of the 2019 Caribbean Premier League, at Kensington Oval. Despite having played only 5 matches (the fewest), the Tridents are at fourth place; a win here will help them consolidate their position on the Playoffs hunt. A defeat, on the other end, will all but end the Tallawahs’ run.

Barbados’ match had taken a step forward when they thrashed St Lucia Zouks by 71 runs. However, they lost the first of the home double-header, to the invincible Guyana Amazon Warriors. None of their batsmen made it past 40. From 63/2 in 6 overs, they were bowled out for 138.

Indeed, batting has been a problem for the Tridents throughout the tournament. They have failed to cross 140 thrice in 5 matches, undoing some reasonably good work by their bowlers, Jason Holder, Sandeep Lamichhane, Roshon Primus, Josh Lalor, and Hayden Walsh.

The Tallawahs have won only once in 7 attempts – but that was against the Tridents. They are hanging on by the thinnest of threads, and will have to win everything from here to stand with a chance.

However, that does not seem likely given their several sub-par bowling performances. They have conceded 191/4, 242/6 (in 18.5 overs), 267/2, and 218/6; unless they do something to stem the flow of runs, any target will be beyond even their power hitters – Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Chadwick Walton, and Glenn Phillips.

Head to head

Jamaica came into the tournament 6-5 ahead in head to head; they have now extended their lead to 7-5.

Key players

Sandeep Lamichhane (Barbados Tridents): They have simply not been able to get Lamichhane (15.5-1-112-6) away in CPL 2019. His variations have been more than a handful, especially for young West Indian batsmen who have not been exposed to wrist spin of this quality till now.

Glenn Phillips (Jamaica Tallawahs): The highest run-getter of the tournament till now, Phillips (strike rate 157) has scored 58, 62, 28, 40, and 87 in his past 5 innings, thereby emerging as the best even in this star-studded top order.

Likely XIs

Barbados Tridents: Johnson Charles, Alex Hales, Justin Greaves, JP Duminy, Jonathan Carter, Jason Holder (c), Leniko Boucher (wk), Ashley Nurse, Raymon Reifer, Josh Lalor, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Jamaica Tallawahs: Chris Gayle, Glenn Phillips (wk), Chadwick Walton (c), Dwayne Smith, Imran Khan, Andre Russell, Shamar Springer, Javelle Glen, Ramaal Lewis, Jade Dernbach, Zahir Khan.

Prediction

Barbados to win.