Despite a strong bowling attack, Kings' batting line-up looks fragile

2018 - Fifth 

2019 - Fifth

2020 - Runners-up

2021 - Runners-up

2022 - Eliminator

"I tried so hard and got so far. But in the end, it doesn't even matter." This has been the story of St Lucia Kings in the last three years. 

The ever-so-inconsistent team has suddenly found its mojo. Prior to 2020, Kings reached the playoff/knockout stages only once in seven seasons between 2013-19. The lackluster seasons have been put behind. They made it to the finals of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but the result of the 21 final would gut them more. A Dominic Drakes special snatched their victory off the last ball. 

It's a new season, and can we expect something new from the Faf du Plessis and Andy Flower combo? We'll get to know from 17th August onwards. 

Changes Made

Two batters held together all of the Kings' batting in the 2022 season. Johnson Charles (345 at 43.1 & 133.2) and Faf du Plessis (332 at 41.5 & 168.5) scored 300+ runs at an average of 40+. But none of the other batters chipped in. 

This saw an overhaul in the batting line-up. Retaining du Plessis and Charles, they bagged Dasun Shanaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Tim David is the biggest miss as he is not a part of the season.

In the bowling department, they have retained their core. Alongside Alzarri Joseph, the best bowler of the season, Matthew Forde and Jeavor Royal will play for Kings again. Kesrick Williams, who was with them last year, has been left out. The leg-spinner from Australia, Peter Hatzoglou, has joined the Kings as their premier spinner. 

The Kings have drafted Zimbabwe's star all-rounder Sikandar Raza as another major signing. Roston Chase and Roshon Primus are the two all-rounders retained from the previous season. Khary Pierre, who was with Trinbago Knight Riders since 2017, was traded to Kings. Mark Deyal has been transferred to Trinbago. 

Player availability

Shanaka, who could have strengthened their middle order, won't be available this season due to the ongoing Lanka Premier League and Asia Cup to follow. Instead of the Sri Lankan all-rounder, they have got in Sean Williams, the Zimbabwe veteran. Rajapaksa is expected to miss a few matches as he is playing in the LPL. Rajapaksa might miss five games if Galle Titans make it to the finals. Chris Sole, the Scottish raw pace bowler, will replace him.

Strengths

> The bowling department consists of all varieties. They have an express-pace bowler in the form of Sole and control in Joseph. They have everything covered in the spin department: a leg-spinner, an off-spinner, a left-arm spinner, and a mystery spinner. 

> In the 2022 season, the spin department was one of their weak links - they had the worst economy and average. This year, they have strengthened it by adding Raza and Pierre. 

Weakness

> The openers, Faf and Charles, contributed 46% of the runs in the 2022 season. While they averaged 39.5 and scored at a run rate of 8.7, the best among all, the other batters between 3-7 averaged 14.7, the worst among all. They haven't made amendments to it. Faf, Charles, Williams, Chase & Raza are the only proven batters. Rajapaksa's absence in the first few matches could hurt them. Leonardo Julien & Kimani Melius average 6.0 and 10.0 with the bat, and both have an experience of five games together. 

> Apart from Raza, they do not have a designated finisher. 

Players to watch out for

It is hard to look past someone like Sikandar Raza. Kings have retained their best two batters, but Raza's role definition in this setup is enormous. In all T20s since 2022, he has scored 1410 runs at a strike rate of 147 and has 46 wickets at an economy of 7.3. In this period, among all-rounders who have scored 1000+ runs and picked up 30+ wickets, only Imad Wasim (7.99) has a better average difference between batting and bowling than Raza (5.4).

Probable first-choice XI

Either Julien or Melius will feature in the XI. The four foreigners' spots will be occupied by the skipper Faf, Williams, Raza, and Hatzoglou/Sole. Joseph will lead the pace attack with four or three spinning options. 

Faf du Plessis ( c ), Johnson Charles, Sean Williams, Leonardo Julien (wk), Roston Chase, Sikandar Raza, Roshon Primus, Khary Pierre, Alzarri Joseph, Matthew Forde, Peter Hatzoglou/Chris Sole

First match 

St Lucia Kings will play their first match in the season opener against Jamaica Tallawahs in Gros Islet on 17th August, 4:30 AM IST. Kings are playing five games in the first five days of the tournament.