Match 25 of the 2019 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will see Barbados Tridents host St. Kitts-and Nevis Patriots at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. 

Both teams have had mixed campaigns so far, with the Patriots third in the table with eight points, but it must be noted that they have played two games more than the Tridents who are fifth with six points. Hence, this is a very important match and victory for either team here will strongly improve their chances of making it to the playoffs. 

The two sides have already faced off once in this year’s tournament with Barbados coming out on top by 18 runs. 

Ground Details and Team Combination

The Kensington Oval has been the most bowling-friendly ground in the tournament so far. Across all parameters – be it economy rate, bowling strike rate, bowling average, boundary percentage – the stadium in Bridgetown comes out on top in bowling statistics. 

Spinners have enjoyed bowling here this season. In fact, the economy rate (6) and bowling strike rate (12.3) here is the best for spinners across all stadiums. Hence, you’ll be well advised to pick at least a couple of spinners in your team. 

Suggested Captain

Shakib Al Hasan is likely to make his first appearance in this season’s CPL in this match and he can be a great pick. At the 2019 World Cup, he was in the form of his life, averaging more than 86 and ending the tournament as the third highest run-scorer with 606 runs to his name. As mentioned earlier, the pitch in Bridgetown tends to favour spin bowling and Shakib can gain you points in multiple departments here. 

X-Factors

Fabian Allen has made a few top contributions with the bat for the Patriots this season. What has stood out is his amazing strike rate (181.1) which is the second highest among all batsmen who have scored more than 100 runs this season. Allen hasn’t been given an opportunity to bowl in every match this season, but it’s likely that he’ll get to roll his arm over due to the conditions here. 

Harry Gurney has picked up just one wicket each in his two CPL 2019 appearances so far, but this is a pitch that could suit his variations. The left-arm pacer came into the tournament after producing some really good performances in the Vitality Blast T20, having taken 20 wickets at a strike rate of 15.2. 

Our last x-factor for this game is Mohammed Hafeez. And as you might have already realised, we have a certain theme going on when it comes to our fantasy picks for this match. Three of our four suggested players are spin-bowling all-rounders. Hafeez hasn’t been at his best as a batsman this season, but he shone with the ball against the St. Lucia Zouks, picking up three wickets. 

Weather 

There is forecast of showers, but it’s likely that we’ll get a result. 

Suggested FanFight team

Johnson Charles (wk), Alex Hales, Jonathan Carter, Evin Lewis, Laurie Evans, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Fabian Allen, Mohammad Hafeez, Rayad Emrit, Hayden Walsh, Harry Gurney.