The ongoing edition of the Caribbean Premier League is reaching its business end as teams are jostling to make it to the playoffs. Two spots have already been taken by Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors while two more places are up for grabs.
The Warriors play host to Saint Lucia Kings at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Friday, September 15. The home team are unbeaten so far in the tournament with five wins from six games while one ended in a No Result. Saim Ayub has been the highest run-getter for the franchise, getting them off to blistering starts on a consistent basis. Gudakesh Motie, on the other hand, has been their highest wicket-taker with nine scalps from six games.
Meanwhile, Saint Lucia Kings suffered a huge blow when their captain Faf du Plessis had to return home due to an injury. Sikandar Raza took charge while Colin Munro was named as Faf’s replacement. The Kiwi batter, who is the highest run-getter in the history of the tournament, has played a couple of decent knocks already. The bowling department has been handled well by Alzarri Joseph and Roston Chase, who have picked up nine wickets apiece in seven games.
Match Details:
Tournament: Caribbean Premier League 2023
Match: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Saint Lucia Kings, Match 26
Venue: Providence Stadium, Guyana
Date & Time: Friday, September 15, 04:30 AM (IST)
Where to Watch Live: Star Sports Network and FanCode
Providence Stadium Pitch Report
The batters are expected to enjoy themselves in the middle at the Providence Stadium. The new ball might move around for a brief while and that is when the seamers will have to look to make inroads. Once the batters get their eyes in, it could be a difficult task to dismiss them. The captain who wins the toss could look to bowl first to get an idea of the target they need to chase.
GUY vs SLK Probable Playing XI
Guyana Amazon Warriors (GUY)
Saim Ayub, Shai Hope, Azam Khan (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Dwaine Pretorius, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Odean Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Imran Tahir (c), Junior Sinclair
Saint Lucia Kings (SLK)
Colin Munro, Johnson Charles (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza (c), Sadrack Descarte, Roshon Primus, Roston Chase, Khary Pierre, Alzarri Joseph, Peter Hatzoglou, Matthew Forde
GUY vs SLK Head-to-Head
Overall:
Played – 21, Guyana Amazon Warriors – 13, Saint Lucia Kings – 7, No Result – 1
Probable Top Performers of GUY vs SLK
Probable Best Batter of the Match
Saim Ayub (GUY):
The 21-year-old Pakistani opener has been getting his team off to flying starts on a consistent basis. He has scored 203 runs in six matches at an average of 40.60 and a strike rate of 154.96. The Kings will have to try and dismiss the youngster before he can get set.
Probable Best Bowler of the Match
Alzarri Joseph (SLK):
The tall West Indies pacer has bowled some difficult overs and picked up crucial wickets. The result of his duel with Ayub might be key in terms of the direction in which the match would go. Raza has started with Roston Chase on a couple of occasions and the off-spinner has done well. However, the Zimbabwean veteran might start with Alzarri to try and dismiss the dangerous Ayub.
Today’s Match Prediction – Guyana Amazon Warriors to win the Match