Match Preview
The 18th match of CPL 2024 sees Barbados Royals take on St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. This match is crucial as the Royals are sitting comfortably at the top of the table, while the Patriots are struggling to make an impact in the tournament.
Barbados Royals Preview
The Barbados Royals enter their CPL 2024 clash against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in dominant form, sitting at the top of the points table with four wins from five matches. Led by the explosive Quinton de Kock, who has amassed 308 runs this season, including a century, the Royals have consistently put up strong performances. Their all-round strength is further bolstered by Jason Holder, who has contributed with both bat and ball and their spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Keshav Maharaj, who have been pivotal in controlling the middle overs on spinner-friendly pitches.
With their solid top order, potent bowling attack, and reliable all-rounders, the Royals are favourites going into the match. However, their middle-order batting remains slightly untested, which could be a point of concern if early wickets fall. Nonetheless, the team’s form and balance give them a strong chance to continue their winning momentum at the Kensington Oval.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Preview
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have had a challenging CPL 2024 campaign, currently sitting at the bottom of the points table with no wins in their last five matches. Despite individual flashes of brilliance, the team has struggled to find consistency and cohesion, particularly in their batting lineup. Andre Fletcher and Mikyle Louis have shown promise, but the team has repeatedly faltered under pressure, especially when chasing.
Their bowling unit, led by Anrich Nortje and Wanindu Hasaranga, has been one of the few bright spots. Nortje, with 11 wickets, has been a standout performer, while Hasaranga’s spin bowling has added variety. However, they’ve often lacked the support needed from the rest of the attack. Heading into this match against the in-form Barbados Royals, the Patriots will need a complete team performance to turn their season around.
Toss Prediction:
Winning the toss might be crucial, as setting a target seems advantageous at the Kensington Oval. Teams may prefer to bat first, given that chasing has proved tricky on this wicket, with a win percentage of only 45.45% for teams batting second.
Pitch Report: The pitch at Kensington Oval tends to favor both batters and spinners. Historically, the average first innings score here is around 167, with teams finding it harder to chase as the pitch slows down in the second innings. Spin bowlers can extract good turn, making players like Maheesh Theekshana and Keshav Maharaj crucial for the Royals, while Wanindu Hasaranga will play a vital role for the Patriots.
Squad:
Barbados Royals squad: Jason Holder (c), Rovman Powell, David Miller, Alick Athanaze, Kadeem Alleyne, Quinton de Kock, Rivaldo Clarke, Maheesh Theekshana, Naveen-ul-Haq, Obed McCoy, Keshav Maharaj.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots squad: Evin Lewis(c), Rilee Rossouw, Mikyle Louis, Kyle Mayers, Josh Clarkson, Wanindu Hasaranga, Andre Fletcher, Veerasammy Permaul, Anrich Nortje, Johann Layne, Tabraiz Shamsi.
Key Players of Barbados Royals:
Quinton de Kock: Leading run-scorer with 308 runs, including a century.
Jason Holder: All-rounder with 7 wickets and a crucial knock of 28* in the last match.
Maheesh Theekshana: Spin ace with 7 wickets in 5 matches.
Key Players of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots:
Anrich Nortje: Leading wicket-taker for the Patriots with 11 wickets.
Wanindu Hasaranga: Star all-rounder with 7 wickets and dangerous spin.
Andre Fletcher: Aggressive opener with two fifties to his name.
Fantasy XI for CPL 2024 – Barbados Royals vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots:
- Quinton de Kock (C) (Barbados Royals) – Wicketkeeper
- Andre Fletcher (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots) – Wicketkeeper
- Rilee Rossouw (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots) – Batter
- Mikyle Louis (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots) – Batter
- Jason Holder (Barbados Royals) – Allrounder
- Josh Clarkson (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots) – Allrounder
- Wanindu Hasaranga (VC) (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots) – Allrounder
- Obed McCoy (Barbados Royals) – Bowler
- Keshav Maharaj (Barbados Royals) – Bowler
- Maheesh Theekshana (Barbados Royals) – Bowler
- Anrich Nortje (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots) – Bowler
Captain (C): Quinton de Kock
Vice-Captain (VC): Wanindu Hasaranga
Match Prediction:
Barbados Royals: 90% chance of winning
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: 10% chance of winning
The Barbados Royals are significantly favored due to their current form, strong squad, and historical dominance over the Patriots. The Patriots will need a standout performance across all departments to overcome the Royals and turn their season around.
Prediction: Barbados Royals are highly favored to win the 18th match of CPL 2024 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, given their superior form and head-to-head record.
