By Brandon Corlette in St Lucia
Coverage sponsored by: KP Jagdeo General Contractors, Impressions Signs and Graphics, Sparkle Supermarket and Cricnation592 Store
The Guyana Amazon Warriors started the 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a defeat, while their other match was rained out in St Kitts. The CPL now moves to St Lucia, and the Warriors are confident heading into the matches at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. The Shimron Hetmyer-led side will play defending champions St Kitts and Nevis Patriots from 10:00h on Thursday, September 8.
According to Odean Smith, the fast-bowling all-rounder, the surface in St Lucia will offer more for batting and fast bowling, as opposed to spin. “The wicket is a good one for fast bowling; I did not see any ball spin today. We have a lot of spinners, and we have a few fast bowlers, so I would not say that is a good sign for us, but we have quality fast bowlers that can do the job for us. It is a similar wicket to the wicket back in Jamaica, so I will do well on it.”
Sharing his sentiments on Warriors bouncing back, Smith said: “Lost the first game, second was washed out, so the guys are confident and ready to go out on the park. I am really confident; my bowling has been doing well, so I am looking to continue that.”
Smith, who was the leading wicket-taker in the 2021 CPL and has been in good form in recent times for West Indies, described the CPL as a good springboard for players. “CPL is a big opportunity for anyone; it’s a platform where you can come showcase your talent, and you can get selected in major leagues around the world, so it is a platform where anyone can be selected, not just me. I did well last year, which did great for me, and I got selected in a couple franchises, so it is a platform where anyone, not just me, can come and perform.”
The big Jamaican, who also strikes a long ball, said he would be returning to sharpen his skills as the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots clash looms. “It was good; I got a good hit, bowled a couple balls, and I will be coming back to sharpen up, so it was a good day today.”
While the Warriors will play two matches in St Lucia and then head to Trinidad, the team will be aiming to sit pretty in the points table, as the finals loom in Guyana.
“It is important for us to get the win, even if we had started well. It is always important to get back-to-back wins. The first two games did not go as planned, so we are looking to stitch together some wins, so even when we are back home in Guyana, we will be comfortable going forward,” Smith added.
While Keemo Paul did not bowl in the first match, he was seen bowling in the nets at full pace, and he is expected to get a bowl in Thursday’s match, especially on a track that looks good for seam bowling. In contrast to St Kitts where rain has been prevalent, St Lucia has been filled with glorious sunshine. (GTimes)