CPL 2019: St Lucia Zouks vs Barbados Tridents, Match 17: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

CPL 2019: St Lucia Zouks vs Barbados Tridents, Match 17: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Sandeep Lamichhane Caribbean Premier League CPL 2019

St Lucia Zouks will host Barbados Tridents for Match 17 of CPL 2019 at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia. Both sides have won a match apiece, but the Tridents hold a slight advantage, having played 3 of their 10 matches while the Zouks have played 4.

Despite being on 2 points each, both sides are in the hunt for the Playoffs. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots might have won 4 matches in the league, but they have played 8 – so they are not clearly at an advantage.

The Zouks’ only win has come against Jamaica Tallawahs, who are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table. What may worry them more is the fact that their defeats have been comprehensive. While their bowling has been competent, their batting has been overwhelmingly dependent on Rahkeem Cornwall. While Cornwall had smashed 149 runs at 244 – the highest strike rate in the tournament – nobody else has scored more than 82 runs or struck at more than 131.

The Tridents seem more sorted despite being the only side to have lost to the Tallawahs till now. They have five bowlers who have gone for 8.20 or fewer, and JP Duminy, Leniko Boucher, Johnson Charles, and, somewhat unexpectedly, Ashley Nurse, have played crucial cameos. They are definitely the superior side despite the Zouks’ home advantage.

Head to head

The Tridents have won 8 matches against the Zouks and lost 4.

Key players

Rahkeem Cornwall (St Lucia Zouks): With 17 fours and 11 sixes off the 61 balls he has faced, Cornwall has easily been the batsman of CPL 2019 so far. Expect him to the rise to the challenge with ball as well.

Sandeep Lamichhane (Barbados Tridents): Lamichhane was Player of the Match in the Tridents’ only win this time, against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. His figures, 9-1-62-4, are among the best in the tournament.

Likely XIs

St Lucia Zouks: Andre Fletcher (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Roland Caton, Kavem Hodge, Colin de Grandhomme, Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy (c), Hardus Viljoen, Kesrick Williams, Obed McCoy, Fawad Ahmed.

Barbados Tridents: Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Leniko Boucher (wk), JP Duminy, Jason Holder (c), Jonathan Carter, Ashley Nurse, Roshon Primus, Hayden Walsh, Josh Lalor, Sandeep Lamichhane.

Prediction

The Tridents to register their second win of the tournament.