The man from Saxacalli Keemo Mandela Angus Paul is fit and ready to represent the St Lucia Kings in the 2021 edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Injury has kept Paul out of the game and he also missed out on an International retainer contract. This CPL will be of great importance to the all-rounder as he aims to break into a West Indies set-up.
St Lucia Kings Head Coach Andy Flower describes Paul as an excellent and energetic cricketer. “He can affect a game in three ways, with the bat, ball, and in the field,” Flower said.
The seam-bowling allrounder Paul, who has moved from Guyana Amazon Warriors, has not been in contention for West Indies selection after suffering a groin injury last year; he hasn’t played any competitive cricket since the BBL last December. Flower expects Paul to be available for Kings’ first game on Friday.
“I’m yet to meet up with him [Paul] and yet to get a very clear update on his fitness, but he’s going to play a part in the tournament and there’s no doubt about that,” Flower said. “And I expect him to play some match-turning performances as well. Again, I’m yet to catch up with Obed and our physio will be coming in with the [Test] contingent this evening from the second Test match… I anticipate Keemo Paul and Obed being fit for the first match.”
Paul represented West Indies in three Test matches, 19 One Day Internationals, and 20 T20I. In 2019 he was also the T20 player of the year for the West Indies, where he claimed figures of 5-15. Overall, Paul has 64 T20 matches under his belt with 61 career wickets. The 23-year old Guyanese has played in T20 leagues around the world, including the IPL, and Big Bash.