Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots eye flying starts under new captains

With a change of guard, both the teams - Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots would look to a make a stronger statement in the new season of the Caribbean Premier League, having failed to live up to the expectations last year. To begin their respective campaigns this season, they will face off against each other at the Warner Park in Basseterre on Friday (July 1).

While Guyana Amazon Warriors did well to finish second in the group stages last year, it was the first time they failed to qualify for the final. St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, on the other hand, finished at the bottom of the points table in their first season of CPL.

In order to inject a fresher approach, both teams have appointed new captains. Martin Guptill will take over the reigns of Guyana Amazon Warriors from Denesh Ramdin (who has moved to St Lucia Zouks) and Faf du Plessis will lead St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Even as history gives Guyana Amazon Warriors an upper hand in the contest over the hosts, on paper they don't have an intimidating squad. They had emerged victorious on both occasions they played against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. However, barring Dwayne Smith, they lack quality domestic players in their squad. None of the players in the Guyana Amazon Warriors' squad were part of the the World T20-winning West Indian team. Yet, with the likes of Guptill, Adam Zampa and Chris Lynn in the team, they have an in-form set of overseas player who could play a big part.

St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, on the other hand, have a more well-rounded unit. Despite having a number of players over an age that isn't considered ideal for T20 cricket, they can be quite stingy on the field. Tabraiz Shamsi found success last year, and having bagged the experience of playing in the Indian Premier League, he will be expected to play a bigger role for them this season.

More importantly, apart from the usual bunch of star players who will be plying their trade, the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Alzarri Joseph, key members of West Indies' Under-19 World Cup-winning team, could get an opportunity to prove their worth against top-class players from around the world.

When: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Guyana Amazon Warriors, June 30, 07:59 PM local time (July 1, 5:29 AM IST)

Where: Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

Did you know:

- Guyana Amazon Warriors have beaten St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in both games the two have played against each other. Both games were played at Basseterre which will be the venue for this match as well.

- Lendl Simmons, the leading run scorer in CPL, will play against Guyana Amazon Warriors for the first time after representing them in the first three seasons.

- Guyana Amazon Warriors have won five out of their seven CPL matches in Basseterre. Among the six teams participating this season, they are the only ones to have a higher win percentage away from home than at home.

Squads

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Martin Guptill (C), Sohail Tanvir, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin , Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Stephen Katwaroo, Devendra Bishoo, Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan, Shimron Hetmyer.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: Faf Du Plessis (C), Lendl Simmons, Samuel Badree, Brad Hodge, Thisara Perera, Jonathan Carter, Krishmar Santokie, Evin Lewis, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kieran Powell, Jon-Jon Smuts, Devon Thomas, Sharmarh Brooks, Tino Best, Jeremiah Louis, Carlos Brathwaite, Nikhil Dutta, Alzarri Joseph.