Barbados Royals are all set to commence their CPL 2024 campaign on Sunday when they take on Antigua & Barbuda Falcons at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from 7:30 PM IST.
The 2022 runners-up didn’t have a great 2023 edition and would look to start the 2024 season with a flourish. They have a solid roster of players at their disposal and it will be intriguing to see whom head coach Trevor Penney names in the starting 11.
Captain Rovman Powell, alongside youngster Alick Athanaze and the seasoned Quinton de Kock, will headline the batting line-up. They will be ably supported by both Jason Holder and Rahkeem Cornwall.
On the bowling side, Obed McCoy is the leader of the pack, with overseas picks Naveen-ul-Haq and Maheesh Theekshana supporting him from close quarters. Isai Thorne, Dunith Wellalage and Nyeem Young will add the necessary depth.
OPPONENT WATCH
CPL 2024 is the debut season for Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, as they have replaced three-time champions Jamaica Tallawahs in this edition. However, their maiden start has not lived up to expectations as they have lost both their opening fixtures. The first against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and the second against Guyana Amazon Warriors.
However, the team strength of the Falcons is impressive with some of the biggest names of international cricket available for selection. Players like Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Faben Allen and captain Chris Green have already started showing their quality. They seem to be just one good day away from registering a win.
This is the first time Barbados Royals will clash with Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. Hence, the match is evenly poised.
MATCH DETAILS
CPL 2024, Match 4: Antigua & Barbuda Falcons vs Barbados Royals
Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Date & Time: September 1, 10:00 AM local time, 7:30 PM IST
Where to watch: Star Sports Network & Fancode
ROYALS TO WATCH
Rahkeem Cornwall: The 31-year-old had an admirable 2023 campaign, scoring 242 runs in nine matches. With a strike rate of 142.35, his 22 sixes in the tournament was only second-best to Faf du Plessis (23). He also narrowly missed out on a century.
Isai Thorne: An out-and-out fast bowler, the 19-year-old has been earmarked to become a future star in the West Indies setup. In his first CPL stint as a full-time player, his extra pace is expected to complement the slower variations of McCoy, Naveen-ul-Haq and Holder.
FULL SQUADS
Barbados Royals: Rovman Powell (captain), Alick Athanaze, Kevin Wickham, Shamarh Brooks, Jason Holder, Nathan Sealy, Rahkeem Cornwall, Quinton de Kock, Rivaldo Clarke, Dunith Wellalage, Isai Thorne, Kadeem Alleyne, Maheesh Theekshana, Naveen-ul-Haq, Nyeem Young, Obed McCoy, Ramon Simmonds, David Miller (will join later), Keshav Maharaj (will join later)
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons: Chris Green (captain), Justin Greaves, Azmatullah Omarzai, Jahmar Hamilton, Teddy Bishop, Kofi James, Joshua James, Jewel Andrew, Kelvin Pitman, Shamar Springer, Hayden Walsh, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Amir, Fabian Allen, Brandon King, Imad Wasim, Roshon Primus