With the eighth edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2020) set to begin on August 18, all six teams have zeroed down on their final squads after a lot of players missing the tournament or pulling out due to various circumstances resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic. Daren Sammy-led St Lucia Zouks start their campaign […]
With the eighth edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2020) set to begin on August 18, all six teams have zeroed down on their final squads after a lot of players missing the tournament or pulling out due to various circumstances resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic. Daren Sammy-led St Lucia Zouks start their campaign against Jamaica Tallawahs in the third game of the season. One of the three teams yet to win the trophy, the Zouks have so far been the underachievers in CPL. With a squad full of potential, the Zouks can certainly better their record.
St Lucia Zouks have never won the title. Their best finish was in 2016 when they finished fourth; this was the only time they qualified for the play-offs.
Daren Sammy, Andre Fletcher, Kesrick Williams, Obed McCoy, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kavem Hodge,, Kimani Melius, Mohammad Nabi, Chemar Holder, Mark Deyal, Leniko Boucher, Javelle Glen, Saad Bin Zafar (ICC Americas pick), Scott Kuggeleijn, Najibullah Zadran, Jonathan Wells, Zahir Khan
Rahkeem Cornwall along with Andre Fletcher form a destructive opening pair for St Lucia Zouks, which is capable of taking the game away from the opposition in no time. Both are known for big hitting and complement each other well.
Rahkeem Cornwall will be eager to get St Lucia Zouks off to quick starts in IPL 2020
BBL star Jonathan Wells, who came in as a replacement can be slotted at 3. Wells comes in with a lot of T20 experience and has been in great form off late. Moreover, he is capable of both steadying the ship as well as taking the attack to the opposition.
Skipper Darren Sammy and Afghan duo of Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran form the lower middle order. All three can tonk the ball with ease and are proven customers in T20 cricket.
However, they are hit-or-miss kind of players who can boom or bust on a given day. The Zouks will look to use Kavem Hodge as a floater in the middle order.
The middle order, therefore, is one of the weak links for the side, which can turn out to be the biggest weapon if things go right.
Afghan Spinner Zahir Khan will lead the spin bowling attack for St Lucia Zouks in CPL 2020
The chinaman bowler from Afghanistan Zahir Khan, replacing another chinaman bowler – a 15-year old Noor Ahmed, is set to lead the spin department.
Khan comes in with the experience of playing in BBL. The pace department holds an impressive look. Chemar Holder has shown a lot of promise and his pace can trouble any batsman.
Kesrick Williams, the most experienced of the lot along with Darren Sammy, is known for his skillful T20 bowling. Obed McCoy brings in the much needed versatility being a left arm fast bowler.
Rahkeem Cornwall, Andre Fletcher (wk), Jonathan Wells, Kavem Hodge, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Darren Sammy, Chemar Holder, Kesrick Williams, Obed McCoy, Zahir Khan
The team is surely potent enough to qualify for the play-offs. But on paper, the Zouks have a slightly vulnerable look as compared to other sides and have to perform exceedingly well and remain consistent throughout the season to have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.
