FANTASY
Follow UsJamaica Tallawahs (JT) will lock horns with Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) in Match 26 of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021 at Warner Park, St Kitts. It is that phase of the league stage where every match is important. Both Tallawahas and Warriors have 8 points in 8 matches. The Tallawahs, however, are at the third spot in the points table by the virtue of a superior net run-rate while the Warriors are at the fifth position.
Ground Details and Team Combination
Despite all matches at the same venue - Warner Park in St. Kitts - the season has seen both high and low scoring matches without any consistency between them. The biggest examples are the last two games. In Match 24, Jamaica Tallawahs plundered 211 runs while batting first. However, a match prior to that, the Royals could put only 93 runs on the board.
Amidst all this turmoil, the left-arm orthodox spinners have shone bright. Barring the right-arm seamers, it is them who have ruled the roost this season. They have 63 wickets, 10 more than left-arm seamers and more than twice of any other variants of spin bowling. They average the least (17.7 runs per wicket) alongside the best economy-rate (6.3 runs per over). Both sides have a number of left-arm orthodox spinners in their squad. However, the one on the Tallawahs may find it tough given the Warriors have three left-handers in their batting ranks. Having said that, Guyana have struggled with the bat this year.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Based on your preferences, the platform will guide you to create the ideal fantasy XI.
Captain
Andre Russell started the season with the fastest ever half-century in the history of the CPL and is consistently churning out performances for the Tallawahs since then, even if it is not of the same magnitude. Since the start of the year, he has struck at 173 while maintaining an average of 26. The Tallawahs have also used him well, giving him a platform to reap benefits off and sending him with enough balls left. With the ball, he is not bowling his full quota of four overs but has still plucked seven wickets in eight games. He has been the impact player for the Tallawahs and could be the same for your fantasy side.
Our Criclytics Player Projection predicts Russell to score 15-23 runs and pick 0-1 wickets
X-Factors
Kicking off his T20 career in this CPL season, Gudakesh Motie has struck form straightaway. He has five wickets in his four appearances this season and has picked two wickets each in last two matches. He is expected to be effective once again since Tallawahs is filled with right-handers in their line-up. He is a left-field choice as vice-captain but could just be the x-factor you need.
Shamarh Brooks’ name is not associated with T20 cricket but the 32-year old has shown his expertise in the format this season. With scores of 34, 43 and 47*, he has been the anchor in a Tallawahs’ batting setup that is comprised of batters. Against a spin dominant Warriors’ attack, his calm head can come in handy.
Here are the top-10 picks as per Criclytics projected points-
Player Match-Ups
Shimron Hetmyer has fancied the match-up against left-arm spinners, especially while facing Imad Wasim. Given how important both these players are for their side, this could be the battle to watch out for in this match.
Probable XIs
Jamaica Tallawahs: Kennar Lewis (wk), Kirk McKenzie, Haider Ali, Shamarh Brooks, Rovman Powell (c), Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Imad Wasim, Chris Green, Migael Pretorius, Veerasammy Permaul
Guyana Amazon Warriors: Chandrapaul Hemraj, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Odeon Smith, Naveen-Ul-Haq, Gudakesh Motie, Imran Tahir, Romario Shepherd
