BR vs GAW, Preview | Royals eye redemption against Warriors after 2024 qualifier debacle

‌The Caribbean Premier League is down to its last 10 games, and the upcoming game will be played at the Kensington Oval between the Barbados Royals and the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Friday. The last time the two teams had faced each other was in the last season's qualifier 2 game, where the Warriors had thrashed the Royals by an eight-wicket margin and made it to the finals. This will be the perfect opportunity for the two-time CPL champions to earn redemption against the Global Super League champions. However, apart from the redemption arc, they will also be looking for their first win in the current season. 

The Royals have had a poor start to their season with three losses and one no result in the four games they have played so far. The Rovman Powell led-side started their season with two tight losses against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and a disappointing loss against the Trinbago Knight Riders. This has put them at the bottom of the points table and they will be hoping to open their account this season in their first home game.

The Warriors on the other hand started the tournament with two big wins to their name but with the two disappointing losses against defending champions St Lucia Kings and the the Knight Riders, have put them in a spot of bother as they are currently fourth on the points table with two wins and two losses to their name and will have to battle hard to ensure their spot in the playoffs. In this situation, every game is important for Imran Tahir and his boys. 

Form Guide

Barbados Royals' recent form in T20s has suffered after their terrible run in the current edition, and they have gone winless in their last five games

The Warriors' recent form has taken a bit of a hit due to their two disappointing losses in the last two games, with three wins and two losses in the last five matches they have played. 

Barbados Royals:  L NR L L L

Guyana Amazon Warriors:  L L W W W

BR vs GAW Head-to-Head in  T20s

The Royals have an abysmal record against Guyana Amazon Warriors having only been victorious on nine occasions out of the 27 matches that have featured both teams.

Barbados Royals 9- 18 Guyana Amazon Warriors

Pitch and Weather

The surface at the Kensington Oval is a balanced surface where the pacers might get some early seam movement with the new ball and the spinners manage to get some grip and turn of the surface as the game progresses.  However, there are some occasions where the flat nature of the surface has made it easier for the batters to score runs. It will be a tough decision for the sklppers on what to do after winning the toss looking at the nature of the wicket. Though the team batting first has won the majority of the T20 games, the  team chasing has been victorious in three out of the last four games that have been played at the venue. 

The conditions at Bridgetown is expected to be overcast with the expected temperature being 29 degrees Celsius. Though there is a 20-25% chance of rain, It should remain clear for the majority of the game.

Team News

The Royals might experiment with some young and upcoming  players in Kofi James and Zishan Motara to help them find a new combination within their lineup.

The Warriors are expected to make a couple of changes by bringing in the experience of Iftikhar Ahmed and the all round ability of Keemo Paul in place of Hassan Khan and Gudakesh Motie.

Barbados Royals Probable XI: Brandon King, Quinton de Kock(w), Kadeem Alleyne,Kofi James, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell(c), Eathan Bosch, Daniel Sams,Zishan Motara, Jomel Warrican, Ramon Simmonds.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Probable XI: Ben McDermott, Quentin Sampson, Shai Hope(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Moeen Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Romario Shepherd, Dwaine Pretorius, Keemo Paul, Shamar Joseph, Imran Tahir(c).

Broadcasting Platforms

The 21st game of the Caribbean Premier League between Barbados Royals and Guyana Amazon Warriors will be digitally streamed on the Fancode app and Website. The fans can also catch the action on television on the Star Sports network at 4:30 am.