Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
CPL 2019 Final: GAW vs BT Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report. GAW vs BT Dream11 Team Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report
Fifth time lucky? Or fifth time heartbroken?
Revenge? Or a fourth defeat to the same team in a single season?
These are the questions facing Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents respectively ahead of the CPL 2019 Final. GAW, now in their fifth final, have never won the competition. After four defeats in finals, GAW arguably look best placed now than ever with the addition of key personnel and an incredible 11 wins in 11 games in CPL 2019.
Also read: Surely, SURELY, this is the year of Guyana Amazon Warriors?
But, can BT right the wrongs of a very difficult Qualifier 1 match and put GAW under pressure? Can BT force GAW to get out of sticky situations in a match where they have historically struggled? Can they create some panic? It remains to be seen in what promises to be a very interesting Final.
CPL style.
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Key to a GAW win
Brandon King’s 132 is etched in CPL folklore. He achieved the highest individual score in CPL history, but most impressive was the swagger and confidence he played with. His challenge will be to have another big impact in the Final, but GAW still need a team effort. If the likes of Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran can extract some damage, the cog that is Shoaib Malik can further hold things together en route to a big total.
However, GAW face a possibly bigger challenge. The dew was heavy in Tarouba in Qualifier 2, which can be difficult for GAW’s spinners to deal with. Indeed, the spinners have been a key reason for GAW’s incredible season, with the likes Imran Tahir and Chris Green enjoying strong campaigns. So, can they handle the pressure and dew with equal effectiveness, following on from Hayden Walsh Jr and Ashley Nurse’s fine effort in the dew on Thursday evening?
Key to a BT win
Alex Hales has had an underwhelming campaign. Add Shakib Al Hasan’s quiet last few games and BT have found themselves a little stretched on the batting front. With JP Duminy in doubt after picking up a leg injury in Qualifier 2, the contributions of Hales, Shakib and Johnson Charles could prove crucial. Can they place pressure on GAW’s spin attack, which forces Shoaib Malik to turn away from Plan A? With the likes of Jonathan Carter, Jason Holder and Ashley Nurse all capable of wielding the willow down the order, a strong platform from the top order could mean CPL glory.
Also, a significant advantage BT could have is the match they have had in Tarouba dew. Their bowling attack, despite Seekkuge Prasanna’s rapid fifty, held its own very well in challenging conditions, of which they can look to repeat in the Final. Apart from Shakib in Qualifier 2, the remaining five bowlers shared nine wickets. Against GAW’s strong lineup, bowling in partnerships will prove crucial.
Possible Playing 11
Also read: Surely, SURELY, this is the year of Guyana Amazon Warriors?
Romario Shepherd took three wickets in Qualifier 1 but went for 50 runs.
GAW: 1. Brandon King, 2. Chandrapaul Hemraj, 3. Shimron Hetmyer, 4. Shoaib Malik (c), 5. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 6. Sherfane Rutherford, 7. Chris Green, 8. Keemo Paul, 9. Ben Laughlin/Romario Shepherd, 10. Odean Smith, 11. Imran Tahir
He did come back out to bat, but it remains to be seen if JP Duminy is fully fit for the Final after retiring hurt with a leg injury during Qualifier 2.
BT: 1. Johnson Charles, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Shakib Al Hasan, 4. JP Duminy, 5. Shai Hope (wk), 6. Jonathan Carter, 7. Jason Holder (c), 8. Ashley Nurse, 9. Raymon Reifer, 10. Hayden Walsh Jr, 11. Harry Gurney
Pitch and Conditions
The pitch at Brian Lara Stadium is often on the slower side. Also, dew could play a key role, so the team who wins the toss will be very tempted to bowl first. Rain is expected to stay away.
Stats and Facts
- GAW have won their last four games against BT, including three this season.
- Hayden Walsh JR has taken 21 wickets in CPL 2019. He needs two wickets to go past Fawad Ahmed (22) on the list of most wickets in a single CPL season. Dwayne Bravo (28 in 2015) leads this list.
- Brandon King (453 runs) leads CPL 2019 for runs scored.
- GAW have never won a CPL Title, despite making the Final four previous times. BT beat GAW in the 2014 Final.
Dream11 Prediction
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Option 1:
Option 2:
Match Prediction
GAW have easily been the best side of CPL 2019, but a bad day could mean nothing to show for it. However, this season could finally be the one they break their duck, given the number of match-winners in their team.
BT will challenge, but GAW will prevail.
Thanks for reading!