CPL 2019: St Lucia Zouks vs Jamaica Tallawahs, Match 24: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

The 24^th match of Caribbean Premier League 2019 will be staged at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros, Islet on September 28 between St Lucia Zouks and Jamaica Tallawahs.

This is a must-win match for Jamaica Tallawahs. They are currently standing at the bottom of the table and their play-off chances depend on this match. They cannot afford to lose against St Lucia Zouks in their penultimate match. St Lucia Zouks also have two wins just like their opponents but they are a point ahead of the Tallawahs, thanks to the no result fixture against Trinbago Knight Riders.

St Lucia Zouks go into this game on the back of a defeat. Their last fixture against the unbeaten Guyana Amazon Warriors saw a massive eight-wicket loss. The problem with this team is that they have been pretty inconsistent. But the win against the third ranked team St Kitts and Nevis Patriots was an inspiring one. Jahmar Hamilton replaced Andre McCarthy in the last match, making his first appearance. Otherwise the team was unchanged. Colin Ingram and Colin de Grandhomme are doing their bit but a bit of consistency is required from Andre Fletcher. The bowling unit is missing Obed McCoy although Fawad Ahmed has been decent throughout.

Jamaica Tallawahs beat Barbados Tridents last time and ensured they stayed in the race. But the Tridents are their only successes this year so far with two wins. They already met the Zouks once in this edition and lost by five wickets with 20 balls remaining. Undoubtedly, this will not be an easy game for the Tallawahs. Their batting is largely dependent on in-form Glenn Philips, Chris Gayle, and Chadwick Walton.  The last match saw the bowling department defending 127 incredibly to clinch a win by five runs.  Jade Dernbach suffered a groin injury while bowling against the Tridents. Russell can come back in his place if declared fit.

Key Players

Fawad Ahmed ( St Lucia Zouks)– The best part of Fawad Ahmed’s bowling has been consistency. Even last time he was the most successful bowler of his team with 1/24 from his four overs. With nine wickets so far he is in the top ten bowlers’ list. His spell will be an important one for the Zouks in this game. The team will depend a lot on his bowling.

Glenn Phillips (Jamaica Tallawahs)–  Glenn Philips will three half-centuries so far is leading the batting table in this season’s tournament.  While he is contributing daily with bat, he has been great behind the stumps too. In the match against the Tridents, he was top scorer with 41 runs and also pouched three catches.  No wonder the Tallawahs will look up to him in the must-win match.

Head to head

In 12 face-offs so far the Zouks have won eight times and the Tallwahs have won four matches.

Likely XIs

St Lucia Zouks– Andre Fletcher (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Colin Ingram, Colin de Grandhomme, Darren Sammy (c), Andre McCarthy, Chris Barnwell, Kesrick Williams, Jeavor Royal, Hardus Viljoen, Fawad Ahmed

Jamaica Tallawahs– Glenn Phillips (wk), Chris Gayle, Chadwick Walton (c), Javelle Glen, George Worker, Andre Russell, Dwayne Smith, Shamarh Springer, Ramaal Lewis, Imran Khan, Zahir Khan

Prediction

Jamaica Tallawahs to keep their hopes alive.