BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, AUGUST 15TH 2014 (CUOPM) – Bajans are flying into St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport to join thousands of Kittitians and Nevisians, Caribbean and international cricket enthusiasts to witness Saturday’s final match in the 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League at St. Kitts’ Warner Park Cricket Stadium.
The Federation’s new airline, Phoenix Airways has confirmed its 141-seat Boeing 737 arrives here at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday on a scheduled flight from Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport.
The Barbados Tridents clash with Guyana Amazon Warriors. With silverware on the line, both teams will be desperate for one last victory in the showpiece game.
Over 220 million people around the world will view the game which will be carried live also on BT Sport (UK); SonyMAX (India); Fox Sport (Australia); CBN (Some Caribbean Islands); SuperSport (South Africa) and ESPN3 (USA).
These two teams finished in the top two of the regular season points table, level on points and only separated by net run-rate after a very close league campaign.
Barbados finished top—and secured an automatic place in the final—but they left it late to secure their position by winning their last game against the Jamaica Tallawahs.
The Tridents were one of four teams locked on 12 points, with that final defeat meaning the Tallawahs had to win two semi-finals to reach the final.
They won the first but then came up against the Guyana Amazon Warriors and were defeated comfortably by 10 wickets.
Guyana bowled well to restrict the Tallawahs to 134-6, as a number of bowlers kept their economy rates below six runs per over.
The star man was Sunil Narine, who took 1-17 in his four overs, while Mohammad Hafeez, Krishmar Santokie and Jimmy Neesham also took one apiece.
In reply, Lendl Simmons and Martin Guptill made short work of their target and sailed past it in only the 15th over.
Simmons finished on 71 not out while Guptill was unbeaten on 66, having both peppered the boundaries and a run-rate of 9.30 runs per over. That result, coupled with the Tridents’ strong form, means that this final match should be a tough showpiece game as both teams fight for the title.
Team News
Barbados Tridents (from): Kieron Pollard (capt), Jonathan Carter, Shane Dowrich, Kirk Edwards, Rayad Emrit, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Neil McKenzie, Kyle Mayers, Jeevan Mendis, Ashley Nurse, William Perkins, Ravi Rampaul, Raymon Reifer, Shoaib Malik and Dwayne Smith.
Guyana Amazon Warriors(from): Sunil Narine, Mohammad Hafeez, Denesh Ramdin (capt), Veerasammy Permaul, Christopher Barnwell, Lendl Simmons, Martin Guptill, Krishmar Santokie, Steven Jacobs, Ronsford Beaton, Trevon Griffith, Corey Anderson, Navin Stewart, Leon Johnson and Robin Bacchus.
Key Players
Kieron Pollard – Still one of the best Twenty20 players in the world, Kieron Pollard will need to be right on his game if Barbados are to be successful. With his aggressive hitting and canny medium-pace bowling, the Tridents captain has plenty on his plate and will be determined to have a positive impact.
Sunil Narine – Sunil Narine will be crucial for Guyana if they are to be victorious.
One of the better spinners in the game, Narine will want to strangle the opposition batsmen with his bowling and help lead the Amazon Warriors to the win.