The 2020 Caribbean Premier League has unearthed a number of local talents who have swept the tournament by storm.
Head Coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Johan Botha has watched keenly and has spotted four young players who he thinks have been outstanding so far. For Botha, who made the disclosure during a recent media engagement, the two emerging players signed to his unit in Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd have left the biggest impact on him so far.
Nedd, a 19-year-old left-arm spinner, who represented the West Indies in the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, made his CPL debut against the Jamaica Tallawahs and copped the wicket of Glen Phillips with his first delivery.
Since his debut, Nedd has been one of the more economical bowlers so far this season.
“Ashmead has come in and done pretty well,” said Botha.
“Our two young players are both spinners and at the moment, the wickets have helped us with that…Ashmead has bowled really well straight up he came in,” Botha said.
Meanwhile, Kevin Sinclair who is a 20-year-old all-rounder, followed Nedd with an exceptional debut, finishing with one for nine from his four overs and was given the opportunity to open the batting recently.
The head coach noted, “Kevin…he has a lot of energy he was great yesterday…he has been a guy who has energy all the way through, running drinks for the guys, doing everything at training
that is asked of him and hopefully he can put in a couple more good performances for us…” Botha posited that both of them have been standouts and are pushing to be part of the best possible XI for the Warriors, noting that “it is good to see them taking their opportunities and making selection harder.”
Over in the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) camp, the pace and execution of former West Indies World Cup Under-19, Jayden Seales has captured Botha’s attention. Botha contended, “He is been for me sort of the guy who has given the team the most balance.”
“I thought Jayden Seales has been excellent for TKR.That is a really good signing for them. He gives the team some real good balance. I know he missed out on a couple of games but in the first sort of four games at Brian Lara he was exceptional, he bowled quick, he took early wickets and obviously they got a lot of spin around him,” he stated.
Wicketkeeper/batsman of the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Joshua Da Silva, rounds out Botha’s four standouts. Da Silva, in four games has 102 runs with a best of 59 and an average of 34, the highest in the side.
“I think he is been really good. It is not for me to say about the selection but I felt he could have played more games. He made a slowish 40 in a game they lost ubt he looks a quality player, he played really well,” Botha said.
The former South Africa spinner explained, “those are the type of guys you got to back and trust can win you a couple of games in a tournament.”
