Jamaica Tallawahs (JT) take on Barbados Tridents (BT) in Match 12 of the 2019 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. The Tallawahs lie at the bottom of the CPL table having lost all their four matches, while the Tridents have won one and lost one in their two matches in the tournament so far. The two teams have clashed in the CPL on 12 occasions. Tallawahs have a slender lead having won six, while the Tridents have won five with one match ending in no result.
Weather and ground details
The match between Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and JT saw an aggregate of 493 runs scored. However, we may not see similar scores achieved in this match, but a score of about 180 should be par on this track given that there is some assistance for the spinners. In CPL matches at Sabina Park since 2018, while pacers have picked up more wickets (26), the spinners (16) have picked up their wickets at a better average, economy rate and strike-rate.
Showers are expected during the match and we could have several interruptions during the game. As a result, we could see a curtailed game as well.
Captain
Chris Gayle is the leading run-getter in the tournament so far with 183 runs from 4 innings at 45.75 along with a strike-rate of 171.02. No T20 team is complete without Gayle in the XI and he has a good record in the CPL at Sabina Park. Making him captain for this game will be a wise choice.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Glenn Phillips has scored back-to-back fifties in the tournament and along with Gayle, forms a deadly combination at the top. He has a strike-rate of more than 150 in this edition and will be tough to dismiss once he gets going.
X-Factors
In his two matches so far, Alex Hales has managed just 18 runs. He is due a big one and this could be the game in which he turns his fortunes around. Hales has a strike-rate of more than 150 in powerplays in T20s since 2018 and his wicket early on will be crucial.
Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane won the player of the match award for his spell of 3 for 22 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Wednesday. Not only is he an attacking option, but is someone who can pick up crucial wickets at crucial junctures. Among bowlers who have bowled in at least 20 innings in T20s since 2018, only six bowlers have more wickets than Lamichhane’s 49 scalps in the middle overs.
Predicted FanFight team
Glenn Phillips, Chris Gayle, Chadwick Walton, Johnson Charles, Alex Hales, Jason Holder, JP Duminy, Sandeep Lamichhane, Josh Lalor, Zahir Khan, Oshane Thomas