… Warriors, TKR players lead list of selectees

 By Clifton Ross

DESPITE a disappointing end to their 2020 Hero CPL campaign, Guyana Amazon Warriors managed to save some face, as a number of their stars were named in this season’s Team-of-the-Tournament.

The squad consists of this year’s top performers; batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders. The panel of cricket experts, which included the tournament’s commentary team; Tom Moody, Ian Bishop, Daren Ganga, Danny Morrison and Samuel Badree, did a good job in selecting the best of the best.

Bubble’ hosts’ Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) who play St Lucia Zouks in today’s final, along with members of the Warriors squad, dominated the team, with the Warriors having four of their stars featured in the team, while TKR managed three.

The spirited Jamaica Tallawahs had representation by two players with a player each from Zouks, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and former champions Barbados Tridents, rounding off the side.

Among those TKR players to be featured in the team are: skipper Kieron Pollard, all-rounder Sunil Narine and left-hander Darren Bravo; Warriors, who had one of the most unceremonious exits in CPL’s semi-final history, being knocked over for a record low 55; got their consolation prize, compliments of some good individual performances by four of their key players.

Leading spinner Imran Tahir, Nicholas Pooran who had the only century for the team this season and leading run-scorer Shimron Hetmyer were the primary factors behind the Warriors’ semi-success this season.

Guyana managed to gain the edge over TKR after selectors decided to pick one Caribbean and one overseas 12th man in a bid to round off the squad. All-rounder Keemo Paul and Zouks seamer Scott Kuggeleijn; who both operated with much skill in the fast-bowling department, earned their selection.

Meanwhile, former Australian all-rounder and CPL’s Director of International Cricket, Moody, said: “After healthy discussion and debate the commentators have finalised what they believe is a power-packed all-star XI from Hero CPL 2020.”

“With a tournament dominated by world-class spinners, there was an abundance of riches. Tahir again proved a challenge to all who came his way. Pollard’s all-round skills again brought some eye-catching performances. It was an easy decision to make him the captain after a flawless league stage,” said Moody.

The Hero CPL Team-of-the-Tournament

Glenn Phillips (wkp.) – Jamaica Tallawahs

Sunil Narine – Trinbago Knight Riders

Shimron Hetmyer – Guyana Amazon Warriors

Nicholas Pooran – Guyana Amazon Warriors

Darren Bravo – Trinbago Knight Riders

Kieron Pollard (captain) – Trinbago Knight Riders

Mohammad Nabi – St Lucia Zouks

Jason Holder – Barbados Tridents

Rayad Emrit – St Kitts & Nevis Patriots

Imran Tahir – Guyana Amazon Warriors

Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Jamaica Tallawahs

Scott Kuggelejin – St Lucia Zouks

Keemo Paul – Guyana Amazon Warriors