CPL 2020: TKR coming with fresh approach to Amazon Warriors

By Akeem Greene

Trinbago Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard has shrugged off last season’s ‘double’ the Guyana Amazon Warriors did on the three-time champions and indicated they will have a fresh outlook in this year’s opening match on Tuesday.

TKR and Warriors battle at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy from 10:00h to mark commence of the eighth season of the Caribbean Premier League, which will be held solely in the twin-island republic due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two sides, with arguably the biggest rivalry in the history of the tournament, have met 19 times, but Knight Riders have an advantage with 10 wins, just one more than Warriors. However, in the last five meetings, Warriors have won four.

“It is a new series and we are looking forward to playing against them. Every time we come against them it is a good match and they got the better of us in 2019, but that counts for nothing come the start of this tournament,” Pollard said.

“Our expectation is to try and qualify for the play-offs and that is our first objective, so each and every game becomes important. Against Guyana, they did well against us throughout the 2019 campaign, but as we have seen the plans for 2020 have gone out the window.”

Dwayne Bravo is fit and back for a full season and according to Pollard, the decision was made since the previous season for Pollard to take over leadership even if Bravo was fit to play.

“It was an overall decision since last year, it was a plan of succession and I guess that’s what makes good franchise.  It was a pretty easy decision and it was a smooth transition and we just want the Champion [Bravo] do what he is good at and that is win games for the franchise.”

Just like the Warriors, the ‘Trini posse’ comes with massive support but this year they will have to do such from the safety of their homes as no spectators are allowed into venues.

“We understand the scenario and we will miss them and hopefully, we can continue to bring smiles on their faces from their homes.”

Pollard also stated he was impressed with the work ethic of the 48-year-old Indian leg-spinner Pravin Tambe, who the franchise drafted this year.

Trinbago Knight Riders squad: Kieron Pollard (cpt), Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Fawad Ahmed, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Tim Seifert, Sikandar Raza, Anderson Phillip, Pravin Tambe, Jayden Seales, Amir Jangoo, Tion Webster, Akeal Hosein, Muhammad Ali Khan.