Barbados Royals are all set to take on Trinbago Knight Riders in their last league phase match of the Caribbean Premier League 2024 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday.
Both teams have qualified for the CPL 2024 playoffs. The Royals are currently third in the CPL 2024 standings, one above the Knight Riders. This is the Royals’ last chance to book a spot in the top two, which will give them an advantage in the playoffs.
In the previous encounter between the two teams, the Knight Riders squeezed a win on the penultimate ball of the match. That was the Royals’ first loss of CPL 2024. They picked up graciously after that, but their last three encounters have all ended in defeats. It will be crucial for the Royals to pick themselves up and rise to the occasion ahead of the CPL playoffs.
The batting unit has been a cause of concern for the Royals. Though they flourished at the start of the tournament, they are undergoing a slump in form. Quinton de Kock has tried to hold ground but hasn’t been able to churn a solid partnership. Kadeem Alleyne, Alick Athanaze and Rovman Powell have been inconsistent. They are yet to play a match-winning knock. David Miller, however, played a brilliant innings of 71 off 34 balls in the loss against Guyana Amazon Warriors. He would be looking to continue his form into the next encounter.
Once the most solid bowling unit in CPL 2024, the Royals have faltered in their last few matches. Maheesh Theekshana has been a shining beacon for the Royals and leads the wicket tally. Fellow spinner Keshav Maharaj has had good days but proved to be too expensive against the Warriors. Even the pace unit of Obed McCoy, Jason Holder and Naveen-ul-Haq have taken wickets but have given runs away too. The unit needs to find its old charm if it wants to restrict the Knight Riders.
The Royals and the Knight Riders have met 24 times in the past, with the latter enjoying a stronger head-to-head record with 15 wins. Whoever wins on Friday will stay in the fight to attain the top two spots in the playoffs.
OPPONENT WATCH
Since their win over the Royals, the Knight Riders have won twice and lost twice. Their last defeat came in the previous match against table-toppers Saint Lucia Kings, who triumphed by 80 runs. Thus, the Knight Riders need to pick themselves up when they face the Royals.
In the batting front, Nicholas Pooran has been leading from the front. He has 285 runs from eight matches. In CPL 2024, the bulk of the runs have come from Nicholas Pooran, along with openers Keacy Carty and Jason Roy. Their batting lineup is one of the most formidable in the world, featuring power hitters like Kieron Pollard, Tim David and Andre Russell. Each one of them can be a match-winner on any given day.
When it comes to the bowling department, the formidable Sunil Narine and the young Afghan Waqar Salamkheil lead the wicket-taking list with 11 each. Akeal Hosein has also been solid and completes the spin trio. The pacers, however, are yet to shine. They need to be less expensive and take the load off the spinners when they face the Royals on Friday.
MATCH DETAILS
CPL 2024, Match 28: Trinbago Knight Riders vs Barbados Royals
Venue: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago
Date & Time: September 27, 8:00 PM local time | 5:30 AM IST (September 28)
Where to watch: Star Sports Network and FanCode
ROYALS TO WATCH
David Miller: The South African had a discontented start to CPL 2024, but was back in his true element in the match against the Warriors. He scored an impressive 71 runs off just 34 balls, which included eight boundaries and four maximums. Though the Royals didn’t win the encounter, Miller’s return to form will be a huge positive for the side.
Maheesh Theekshana: The Sri Lankan has been the most consistent bowler of the Royals unit. He has taken 12 wickets and boasts a 5.54 economy rate. While the rest have faltered in the last three games, Theekshana has been solid. Against the Warriors, he gave away just 15 runs and took three wickets. Even in the previous encounter against Trinbago, he ended with figures of 3/26.
FULL SQUADS
Barbados Royals: Rovman Powell (captain), Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, Alick Athanaze, Shamarh Brooks, Jason Holder, Nathan Sealy, Rahkeem Cornwall, Rivaldo Clarke, Dunith Wellalage, Isai Thorne, Kadeem Alleyne, Maheesh Theekshana, Naveen-ul-Haq, Nyeem Young, Obed McCoy, Ramon Simmonds, Kevin Wickham
Trinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard (captain), Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Waqar Salamkheil, Terrance Hinds, Keacy Carty, Shaqkere Parris, Jason Roy, Josh Little, Nathan Edward