Faf du Plessis is ruled out of the tournament | Source: Twitter
The 16th match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023 will be played between Barbados Royals and St Lucia Kings on Sunday, September 03 at Kensington Oval, Barbados.
Barbados Royals
The Barbados Royals have played five matches so far in the tournament, out of which they have won two games and suffered defeat in two others. Unfortunately, one of their matches was abandoned due to rain. With a total of five points, they currently hold the fifth position on the points table.
They are riding high into this game after smashing Jamaica Tallawahs by six wickets. Alick Athanaze played the superhero role, smashing a game-changing innings that led Barbados to nail the 161-run target in just 19 overs.
Heading into this one, they are aiming to keep the wins coming in this tournament. Things are getting interesting on the points table, with four teams all locked at five points. The competition for those top four slots is turning into a real nail-biter.
St Lucia Kings
On the other hand, the St Lucia Kings are currently reigning supreme atop the points table. They have managed to secure wins in two out of the five matches they have played, with two matches ending in a tie and one in a loss.
They are entering this game with a bang, following their thumping 54-run win against Trinbago Knight Riders. The St Lucia Kings' bowlers stole the show, bowling the Knight Riders out for just 113 runs in 14.5 overs while chasing a target of 168. However, they will miss Faf du Plessis for the rest of the tournament due to an injury.
Sikander Raza will lead in the side and will be aiming to keep that winning streak going and hold onto the top spot on the points table. But facing the star-studded Barbados Royals will not be a walk in the park.
BAR vs SLK Match Details
| Date and Time | September 03, 5:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados |
| Live Streaming and Broadcast | FanCode app & website |
Kensington Oval Pitch Report
The Kensington Oval pitch is a batting paradise, favouring the batters to put on a show. Bowlers, especially the fast ones, might find some extra zip in their deliveries. The team winning the toss should look to bowl first.
BAR vs SLK Probable Playing XIs
Barbados Royals: Rahkeem Cornwall, Kyle Mayers, Laurie Evans, Alick Athanaze, Rovman Powell (c), Jason Holder, Rivaldo Clarke (wk), Nyeem Young, Roelof van der Merwe, Qais Ahmad, Obed McCoy
St Lucia Kings: Johnson Charles, Colin Munro, Sean Williams, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (wk), Roston Chase, Sikandar Raza (C), Roshon Primus, Alzarri Joseph, Peter Hatzoglou, Khary Pierre, McKenny Clarke
Note: Faf du Plessis has been sidelined for the rest of the CPL 2023 due to elbow injury. Sikandar Raza will lead St. Lucia Kings in his absence.
BAR vs SLK Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
| Wicket-keepers | Johnson Charles |
| Batters | Rovman Powell, Sean Williams, Alick Athanaze |
| All-rounders | Jason Holder, Sikandar Raza, Roston Chase, Khary Pierre |
| Bowlers | Alzarri Joseph, Roelof van der Merwe, Qais Ahmad |
| Captain | Roston Chase |
| Vice-captain | Sikandar Raza |
BAR vs SLK Match Prediction
St Lucia Kings are the favourites to win this game given their form and overall depth in the side.
 "Shivani Shukla")
