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CPL 2021 | 1st Semi-Final Preview: Confident Trinbago face inconsistent Kings for a spot in final

Trinbago Knight Riders etched a win against Patriots in their last league match to seal the top spot in the Caribbean Premier League points table on Monday, September 13 and will now take on Saint Lucia Kings in the first semi-final of the CPL 2021 slated to take place on Tuesday in St Kitts. 

Trinbago rode on captain Kieron Pollard’s masterclass with the bat after he struck a 22-ball 51 to help the side chase down a target of 148 runs in 20 overs. Apart from Pollard, Isuru Udana also chipped in with some runs scoring 25* off 16 to see the side home. 

The TKR batting looks stable at the moment barring some hiccups that they faced during the chase against the Patriots. The stability comes from the fact that the Knight Riders’ batting unit comprises a good mix of international and domestic talents, namely, Lendl Simmons, Tim Seifert and Colin Munro. 

While Simmons and Munro can provide a steady start to the proceedings up the order, Seifert and Pollard will have the onus on themselves to capitalise on it. 

In the bowling department, Ali Khan was on song against the SKNP after he bagged a three-for at the cost of just 19 in the allotted 4 overs. Apart from him, the TKR team has the services of Udana and experienced campaigner Ravi Rampaul in fast bowling while Sunil Narine and Akeal Hosein jeer up the spin department. 

The side looks pretty balanced at the moment and would be riding high on confidence after the win in their last encounter. 

The Kings on the other hand are coming into this game after suffering a defeat in their final league match against Barbados Royals. 

The Royals’ batsmen Kyle Mayers and Glenn Phillips hammered the Saint Lucia bowlers all around the park and helped the side win the match by 8 wickets after chasing down a stiff target of 191 runs with more than an over to spare. 

While Mayers remained unbeaten at a 62-ball 81, Phillips unleashed a brutal knock and scored 80* in just 39 deliveries that included nine maximums. 

Apart from Jeavor Royal, all the Kings bowlers were hit for runs and it was only Roston Chase who was able to pick up a wicket. 

Well, the Kings were without their regular captain Faf du Plessis as he was carrying a groin injury and missed the fixture. The Saint Lucia side would be hoping that he returns back to play the all-important semi-final clash. 

While the Saint Lucia bowlers were hammered for runs, the side still had some positives to take away from this game. The batting unit, especially the top-order was among runs and the side eventually posted 190/6 in 20 overs. 

Chase has been in good form for the Kings in this competition and the team management would be banking on him to continue with what he has been doing. 

Match Details

Match: Trinbago Knight Riders vs Saint Lucia Kings, CPL 2021

Date: September 14, 2021 (Tuesday)

Time: 7:30 PM (IST)

Venue: Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

TV: Star Sports Network

Stream: Fancode

Pitch Report

The pitch can assist the batsmen during the clash between Trinbago Knight Riders and Saint Lucia Kings. So, if you win the toss, elect to bat first and try to put up a good total on the board. 

Probable XI

Trinbago Knight Riders: Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Colin Munro, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard (c), Tim Seifert, Isuru Udana, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Ali Khan, Ravi Rampaul

Saint Lucia Kings: Andre Fletcher (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Faf du Plessis (c), Roston Chase, Tim David, Samit Patel, David Wiese, Keemo Paul, Wahab Riaz, Alzarri Joseph, Jeavor Royal

Fantasy XI

Andre Fletcher (wk), Lendl Simmons, du Plessis, Colin Munro, Sunil Narine, Isuru Udana, Kieron Pollard (VC), Roston Chase (C), Rahkeem Cornwall, David Wiese, Jeavor Royal 

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