Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CPL 2020 Semi Final 1: TKR vs JT Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | TKR vs JAM Dream11 Prediction Today | Trinbago Knight Riders vs Jamaica Tallawahs Key Players | Tarouba Pitch Report

CPL 2020, a unique T20 tournament in the “new normal” that is the COVID-world, reaches its business end. No crowds, slow pitches and lower totals than usual have forced teams to dig deep to play their best cricket.

No side has done that better than Trinbago Knight Riders. In fact, no one has even come close. Led by the superb Kieron Pollard, the Knight Riders have beaten every side with ease enroute to a perfect 10 wins, achieving this feat with niggles and injuries to their key players along the way. So, the big question for TKR is – can they transfer that devastating form over to the knockouts, where one bad day could mean tournament over?

On the other hand, Jamaica Tallawahs have been striken by inconsistency throughout their campaign. They have won just three of their 10 games, raising questions over whether a top four in a six-team league rewards mediocrity. However, the Tallawahs now have the chance to put their poor form behind them (four losses in their last five completed matches) and step up in the matches that matter most.

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Sunil Narine has reportedly recovered from kidney stones, and is set to slot back in the TKR XI. He has played just four games, but has had an impact in all four: 50 (28), 53 (38), 8 (16), and 29 (11), along with five wickets (econ. 4.87).
• Glenn Phillips has a key role to play if Tallawahs are to win. He topped the CPL 2020 run-scoring chart in the league stage, striking 314 runs at an average of 39.25 and SR 127.64. No other player reached 300 runs.
• Phillips vs TKR in CPL 2020: 58 (42) and 41 (31).
• Andre Russell has the most runs and wickets of any player in TKR-JT matches. He has 565 runs at an average of 56.50 and SR 191.53 (including two centuries), as well as 20 wickets. Also, Russell has scored three fifties in his last five knocks in CPL 2020.
• Darren Bravo has the third-most runs in CPL 2020 (239, avg. 47.80). Also, he has a solid overall record vs Jamaica: 340 runs, avg. 30.91.
• Jermaine Blackwood has shown promising form in CPL 2020: 23, 28, 27, 12, 74 and 25. Can he make a key contribution when opening the batting?
• Dwayne Bravo, like Russell, has 20 wickets in TKR-JT matches. Also, Bravo has seven wickets in his last five CPL 2020 matches.
• Kieron Pollard has had a tournament to remember. His strike rate (204.91) is the best of any player in CPL 2020 (min. 20 runs).
• Mujeeb ur Rahman has the equal-most wickets in CPL 2020 (15), coming back into form with two wickets last match. He and Sandeep Lamichhane (12 wickets) will be crucial for Jamaica.
• Fawad Ahmed has burst into form. He has taken seven wickets in his last four games, including 4/21 vs St. Kitts last match.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 18, TKR 9, JT 9.
• TKR beat JT by 7 wickets and 19 runs in their two meetings in CPL 2020. Sunil Narine was man of the match in their first meeting this season (50 off 28 balls and 1/19).
• TKR, like Guyana last season, did not lose a single game in the league stage (10 matches).

Possible Playing 11

Colin Munro is unlikely to feature in the Semi Final due to a fracture in his finger. Sunil Narine is reportedly likely to play after overcoming kidney stones.

Trinbago Knight Riders: 1, Sunil Narine, 2, Lendl Simmons, 3, Tim Seifert (wk), 4, Darren Bravo, 5, Kieron Pollard (c), 6. Dwayne Bravo, 7. Sikandar Raza, 8. Fawad Ahmed, 9. Khary Pierre, 10. Akeal Hosein/Ali Khan, 11. Jayden Seales

It remains to be seen where Andre Russell bats, and whether he is fit enough to bowl. This could be the deciding factor in whether Oshane Thomas or Veerasammy Permaul gets the nod.

Jamaica Tallawahs: 1. Glenn Phillips (wk), 2. Jermaine Blackwood, 3. Nicholas Kirton/Nkrumah Bonner, 4. Rovman Powell (c), 5. Andre Russell, 6. Asif Ali, 7. Carlos Brathwaite, 8. Mujeeb ur Rahman, 9. Sandeep Lamichhane, 10. Fidel Edwards, 11. Veerasammy Permaul/Oshane Thomas

Tarouba Pitch and Weather Report

There is a chance of rain throughout the day in Trinidad. In terms of the surface, it has been better for batting in the second leg of the tournament in Tarouba, compared to the first. TKR have enjoyed batting on it, with three straight scores of 170+ when batting first.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

It would be some upset if Jamaica were to win. TKR have the experience and quality to navigate tricky situations, and should have enough in their ranks to qualify for the Final.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Do you write cricket blogs? Here are 6 tips to writing great cricket blogs!