TKR clash with Patriots in CPL

FORMER West Indies fast bowler Tony Gray said Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) must lift the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League title after crashing out of the 2022 campaign.

The TT franchise, captained by Kieron Pollard, open their 2023 tournament against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, Saturday at 10 am. The Patriots have strength in their team including Andre Fletcher, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis and Sherfane Rutherford.

TKR had a disappointing campaign last year, finishing last for the first time since the tournament began in 2013. The TT franchise ended the tournament with three wins, six losses and one no-result and missed the playoffs for the first time.

TKR’s batting was dismal last year, as no batsman finished among the top-ten run-scorers for the season. Wicket-keeper Tim Seifert was TKR’s best batsman, finishing 14th on the charts with 221 runs at an average of 24.55. Seifert is not with TKR this year.

TKR are the most decorated franchise in the history of the CPL, winning four titles. The trio of Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell and captain Kieron Pollard are the power-hitters in the team and the totals TKR post may depend on them. Pooran, Russell and Pollard all struggled in the 2022 CPL. Pooran averaged a paltry 12 runs, Russell averaged 17 and Pollard 14.66.

Gray believes TKR’s chances heavily depend on the batting trio.

“I think they are very important. Not only because they have vast experience, they are record-breaking players throughout the world of franchise cricket,” Gray said.

“He (Pollard) is the leader, so it is important that the leader leads by example. Andre Russell can be destructive with the bat. Even at the age of 34-35 he needs to improve his game.”

Gray explained that opposing bowlers have learnt Russell’s weaknesses which includes the short ball.

“Russell must play a good all-round role,” Gray said, because Russell’s bowling and fielding are valuable to the team.

“Pooran obviously with his fantastic form of playing international cricket (is key).”

Pooran has been in the form of his life over the past few weeks, scoring an unbeaten 137 in the Major League Cricket final for MI New York. He followed up that performance by being awarded the player of the series in a five-match T20 series against India which ended last Sunday. Russell and Pollard have also been among the runs in T20 franchise cricket.

Speaking about Pooran, Gray said, “He would want to transfer that form into the TKR team because, like the other two names (Pollard/Russell), he has to redeem himself. They came last year with a strong side.”

Experienced Martin Guptill will aim for runs at the top of the order along with South African Rilee Rossouw.

West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and Sunil Narine have returned to the team. Afghan left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad will hope for playing time in his first season with the TT franchise.

The medium and fast bowling will be led by veteran Dwayne Bravo, who returns to TKR after spending two years with the Patriots.

“You have one of the greatest motivators, who is a record breaking player – Dwayne Bravo. He is now motivated to lift the team and he is the most winningest captain in CPL history,” Gray said.

Bravo has captained TKR to three CPL titles.

“These guys would be vastly disappointed if they don’t win the tournament...they have to win the tournament to really redeem themselves with a structure like this, a team like this, a squad like this.”

West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana are still developing their skills in the T20 format and will use this tournament to make a name for themselves.

TKR squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Rilee Rossouw, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Martin Guptill, Jayden Seales, Matheesha Pathirana, Mark Deyal, Chadwick Walton, Terrance Hinds, Kadeem Alleyne, Jaden Carmichael.