Can Guyana Amazon Warriors finally break their jinx?
- Trinbago Knight Riders are the most successful franchise in the CPL with four titles
- Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Lucia Kings are still seeking their maiden title
The 10th edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2022) is all set to get underway from August 31. It will be the defending champions St Kitts and Nevis Patriots taking on Jamaica Tallawahs in the season opener at Warner Park.
The tournament, comprising 30 group matches and four playoffs fixtures, will take place at four venues from August 31 to September 30. The competition will begin in St Kitts and Nevis before moving to St Lucia and Trinidad, with the final leg taking place in Guyana.
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Trinbago Knight Riders are the most successful franchise in the CPL with four titles, having won in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020. Barbados Royals and Jamaica Tallawahs have won two trophies each. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots ended their trophy drought last year, while Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Lucia Kings are still searching for their maiden title. Noteworthy, Guyana Amazon Warriors have reached the final on five occasions, but haven’t been able to pass the last hurdle…
Who are the favourites?
- Four-time champions Trinbago Knight Riders start as favourites to win the 2022 edition, boasting of a strong squad. TKR have some T20 powerhouses in the likes of Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Colin Munro. The addition of Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran to the side has just made them even more formidable.
- Barbados Royals have the second best odds of winning the tournament, possessing a very good bowling attack. They have Obed McCoy, Jason Holder, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in their ranks. The South African duo of Quinton de Kock and David Miller strengthens the batting unit.
Who can be the dark horse?
Jamaica Tallawahs, led by Rovman Powell, didn’t have a great season last year and could easily be the dark horse this season. Apart from Powell, they have Fabian Allen, Shamarh Brooks, Brandon King, Chris Green and Sandeep Lamichhane in the side, so we are yet about to see how they will perform.
Players to keep an eye on…
Rovman Powell has improved his game significantly in the last couple of years and will be the most valuable player for Jamaica Tallawahs. The power-hitter has over 2300 runs in the shorter format at an average of 24 while striking at 136, including one hundred and nine fifties. Powell hasn’t had a great time in the recent matches but a 15-ball 27* in the last game against New Zealand could be the change of form.
Andre Russell will be playing alongside T20 stalwarts in Trinbago Knight Riders and that could help get the best out of him. He was at his destructive best in the recent Hundred fixture against Southern Brave, where he blasted 64* off just 23. Russel’s fast bowling also adds value to the side. He has an extraordinary T20 record, with over 7000 runs at a strike rate of 169 while averaging 27. He also has 375 wickets to his credit, with 10 hauls of four-plus wickets.
Games tips and predictions
Jamaica Tallawahs may not be favorites to win the title, but we think they are more likely to win the first match of the tournament over Patriots with odds of 2.16 to do so. Dwayne Bravo’s St Kitts and Nevis Patriots surprised everyone last year to clinch the trophy but their journey could be a lot harder this year.
The tournament favourites Trinbago Knight Riders will take on St Lucia Kings in the second game of the CPL 2022. Having a considerably stronger squad on paper, we predict Trinbago Knight Riders will win this clash against St Lucia Kings. They have odds of 1.47 to win this game.
Although St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have won four of their last five encounters against Barbados Royals, the Royals will have an edge this year. We expect Barbados Royals to defeat Patriots in the third match of the tournament, slated to take place on September 1st.
