The reigning champions Barbados Tridents are a unique team. They have got 10 players who can bat in top 7 and 6 players who can bowl their full quota and they all get into the XI at once which makes it one of the most watchable teams in the CPL.
St Lucia Zouks, on the other hand, seem to be lacking a little bit of balance as far as their middle order is concerned. But, they have got some power-hitters which mean they are never out of the game even if they are behind the tempo at a certain stage.
As these two exciting teams locks horns in game 5 of CPL 2020, here are our fantasy cricket tips for the game –
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy is a bit challenging for the stroke-players and both Barbados and St Lucia have got plenty of stroke-players. So, it’s about which of the two sides adjusts to the surface better.
Since Barbados has got a bit more depth in their batting, they can afford to play a bit more freely as compared to St Lucia which is heavily dependent on their top 5.
Predicted playing XI of both teams
Barbados Tridents: Shai Hope (Wicketkeeper), Johnson Charles, Corey Anderson, Kyle Mayers, Jonathan Carter, Jason Holder (Captain), Rashid Khan, Ashley Nurse, Mitchell Santner, Raymon Reifer, and Hayden Walsh Jr.
St Lucia Zouks: Rahkeem Cornwall, Andre Fletcher, Mark Deyal, Najibullah Zadran, Roston Chase, Mohammad Nabi, Darren Sammy(C), Scott Kuggeleijn, Kesrick Williams, Zahir Khan, and Obed McCoy
Top Picks
Corey Anderson should be one of the picks among the batsmen because Barbados seems to be in a mood to use him up the order in this tournament. Anderson is a big hitter of the ball and if he gets enough deliveries at the top to get his eye in, he can be really devastating at no. 3. And, then he can chip in with the ball as well which makes him a really handy player for the fantasy.
Kyle Mayers should be the surprise pick in the all-rounder’s category as he showed in the first game against St Kitts that he has decent ball-striking credentials and he was also given the new ball later. The Barbados skipper Jason Holder has clearly identified Mayers as someone who can make an impact with both bat and ball. Mayers can fetch a lot of points in the fantasy despite not being a big name yet.
Rahkeem Cornwall, Jason Holder and Rashid Khan are some of the automatic picks as they are proven performers in the Caribbean Premier League and are still at the top of their game. Apart from Rashid, another Afghanistan wrist spinner Zahir Khan might also be a wise fantasy pick as he can deliver a few breakthroughs in the middle phase of the innings with the batsmen looking to go after him.
Captaincy pick: Jason Holder
Vice-captaincy pick: Kyle Mayers
