– Gurbaz arrives to bolster the batting lineup

GUYANA Amazon Warrior’s Team Manager Leon Johnson believes that the side is a quality unit for the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.
The Guyanese admitted that fact during an interview with Joseph Red’s Pereira in St. Lucia ahead of the franchise’s second clash of the season against the St. Lucia Kings.
Added to that, Kings have brought in a few players to reinforce the team and Johnson is not underestimating them.
“The kings have been a bit inconsistent this season, but then again, in T20 cricket, you can’t take anything for granted or underestimate anyone. They got Tim Siefert coming in, who has been in very good form in the Hundred (England competition), and also Noor Ahmed. Their team will be strengthened, but it is just about us planning well and executing those plans.”
Johnson, who led Guyana’s 4-day squad to multiple titles, said the warriors have been in St. Lucia since Friday, allowing them time to settle and prepare well for the second match-up.
Johnson, said they were excited to get a winning start to their 2026 campaign.
The Guyana franchise won their season opener on Thursday last against the new franchise Jamaica Kingsman comfortably by 6 wickets.
“We played well to restrict Jamaica to 117, a very good effort from us, and we did very well in the chase. We lost one too many wickets in that chase, but overall, it was a very good game, and it did well for our net run rate as well,” he added.
He noted that Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was prolific for the team in the ExxonMobil Global Super League, will be available for selection in the starting eleven as they look to maximize results from their away games.
“Gurbaz is arriving this evening (Tuesday); he will be eligible for selection on Wednesday. It is one step at a time. Home has always been a good place for us, a fortress for us. We have three more games on the road before we get home, and it is about taking care of business on the road. I find teams who play best or very well on the road ultimately tend to secure themselves playoff spots.”
“It is always good that these young Caribbean players get the opportunity to rub shoulders with world-class players and international players and also world-class Caribbean players; they get to rub shoulders with the likes of Shai Hope, Shepherd, Hetmyer, and Khary Pierre, and these guys,” he added.
The team manager says they are very confident in their goals this season given the balance of the team in terms of seam bowling, spin bowling, and batting options.
‘Once we play to potential and we execute whatever plans we come up with for different teams, we will be fine.’
The Warriors clash against the St Lucia King bowls from 19 hours this evening