Small Margins Separate Teams Midway Through CPL 2018
by Yello Aug 31, 2018
We have just passed the half way stage in CPL and it is now crunch time as all the teams have played a total of 6 matches or more. Like kids at the front of the bun and milk line, Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors continue to toggle for the top spot on the points table, owned currently by the Tallawahs. Not much has changed for The St. Lucia Stars as they continue to occupy last position on the table after failing to get across the line in some very close encounters.
Despite the Stars looking like a roof after Hurricane Gilbert, the Stars’ Captain Kieran Pollard has been brilliant all tournament leading the table with the highest run scored. The hard-hitting Pollard has so far amassed 330 runs at an average of 55.00, with a strike rate of 160.19. At least there is some positive for the Stars, as compared to the struggling Barbados Tridents who resemble an out of control ‘pop’ kite.
On the bowling side it is Andre Russell, the star of the modern game, that leads the pack with the most wickets, bagging 14 wickets thus far. His table-topping captaincy efforts have resulted in the Tallawahs clinching two critical wins this week despite losing three straight games at their second home in Lauderhill.
At this stage of the competition most teams are more settled as it relates to their bowling and batting efforts. The par scores when compared to the first 10 matches have dropped as the margins for error has gotten smaller with each game being played. A great emphasis has been placed on death bowling, which leads us to asking the question: Where do you bat your power hitters in the batting order? A perfect example is that of an Andre Russell or Steve Smith. On the bowling foot, spinners continued to show their dominance in this format of the game. Of late young Trinidadian left arm spinner Khary Pierre has come to the party for the Trinibago Knight Riders with solid performances. Young Oshane Thomas has also been putting in outstanding fast bowling performances, generating great pace with consistency to capture 13 wickets from 7 games. It is now a matter of minimizing errors and improving tactical decisions, as the battle to make it into the top four is hotter than ever in the “biggest party” in sports.
Featured Image Credit – CPL T20 LTD
