CPL 2019: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Trinbago Knight Riders, Match 14, Basseterre: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

CPL 2019: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Trinbago Knight Riders, Match 14, Basseterre: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Lendl Simmons

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots floundering campaign received a shot in the arm when they comprehensively outclassed St Lucia Zouks on Sunday, but their next challenge will be an altogether different proposition.

Trinbago Knight Riders are the defending champions. So far in CPL 2019, they have won all of the four games they have played, and are below Guyana Amazon Warriors at the top of the table only on a marginally inferior net run-rate.

Trinbago, in their last match, saw off Jamaica Tallawahs, comprising the likes of Chris Gayle and Andre Russell, by a huge margin of 41 runs, having posted a 268-run target. In their other clash against Jamaica, they posted 192. They hunted down the 168-run target set by the Zouks in 17.5 overs, all of which suggests their batting might is one to behold.

However, it’s their bowling that stood out in the tournament opener, against, well, the Patriots. On that occasion, Trinbago were restricted to 152/7 after batting first. The Patriots were then bundled out for 141 for a 11-run victory. Keep in mind the same Kitts line-up went on to chase down a 242-run target set by Jamaica with 7 balls to spare.

Trinbago are an all-round side capable of much destruction. St Kitts will need to bring out their A game for the clash.  

Head to head

These two sides have clashed 12 times previously, going back to CPL 2015. St Kitts and Nevis have reigned supreme only thrice, with Trinbago winning the remaining 9 encounters. One of those victories for St Kitts and Nevis came last year, though, and they will be hoping for a repeat this time.

Key players

Evin Lewis (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots): With 175 runs in five innings, Lewis is the second-highest scorer so far in CPL 2019, behind Chris Gayle. He has 2 half-centuries and a 36 so far, and what St Kitts has been lacking is in providing support for Lewis. He scored 65 in his last outing, and will be looking to go better this time.

Lendl Simmons (Trinbago Knight Riders): A good start will be crucial, and Lendl Simmons has been doing just that for Trinbago so far this tournament. He has 171 runs in just 4 outings, and more of the same will be imperative in this clash.

Likely XIs

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: Devon Thomas (wk), Evin Lewis, Laurie Evans, Mohammad Hafeez, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Fabian Allen, Kjorn Ottley, Rayad Emrit, Usama Mir, Akeem Jordan, Sheldon Cottrell

Trinbago Knight Riders: Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Kieron Pollard (c), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Jimmy Neesham, Javon Searles, Seekkuge Prasanna, Khary Pierre, Mohammad Hasnain, Ali Khan

Prediction

Trinbago to continue on their winning streak.