The 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has come to a thrilling conclusion, and what a season it was! The Guyana Amazon Warriors emerged as the undisputed champions, showcasing their cricket prowess throughout the tournament. With a remarkable run in the group stage and some outstanding individual performances, the Warriors established their dominance in the league. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the key highlights, standout players, and notable moments from the CPL 2023 season.
Amazon Warriors’ Dominance
The Warriors’ journey in the 2023 CPL was nothing short of spectacular. With one match abandoned due to rain, they lost just one match in the group stage, out of the 10 they played, allowing them to finish at the top of the table. Their dominance extended to almost every facet of the game, as they excelled in both batting and bowling. Their fielding was also on point, with opposing batsmen scared to take risky runs and those brave enough to try it, finding themselves back in the shed!
Dwaine Pretorius
The Warriors boasted an impressive batting lineup, led by two standout performers – Shai Hope and Saim Ayub. Shai Hope, who earned the tournament’s MVP award, was the top run-scorer in the league. He amassed a staggering 481 runs in 13 innings, including a breathtaking 44-ball century and four half-centuries, finishing with an outstanding average of 53.4. Ayub, in his debut CPL season, was no less remarkable, accumulating 478 runs in 13 innings at an average of 43.
Those stellar performances allowed the Warriors to score the highest team total of the season and equal the highest at the National Stadium, Providence, with a formidable 226 for seven against the Barbados Royals. Shimron Hetmyer and Azam Khan also made significant contributions, amassing 227 and 224 runs, respectively, to bolster the Warriors’ batting lineup.
The Warriors’ bowling unit was equally critical to their success. Dwaine Pretorius emerged as the best bowler of the tournament, claiming 20 wickets at an impressive average of 15.45. Imran Tahir, the team’s captain, was not far behind, with 18 wickets to his name. Gudakesh Motie picked up 15 wickets, while Romario Shepherd shone during the powerplays, securing 10 of his 12 wickets in that phase.
Junior Sinclair was another highlight for the Warriors, as he was honored with the Emerging Player award. His promising performances further showcased the depth of talent within the team, making the Warriors a well-rounded outfit. Also announcing themselves to the world were Matthew Nandu and Kevlon Anderson as two bright prospects within the franchise.
Trinbago Knight Riders’ Resilience
The Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) were the losing finalists in the CPL 2023, and their journey to the final was marked by resilience and individual brilliance. Nicholas Pooran was the standout performer for TKR, emerging as the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 291 runs to his name. He was well-supported by Martin Guptill, who scored 262 runs, making it the first time in CPL history that five centuries were scored in a single season.
Mark Deyal (224 runs) and Kieran Pollard (215 runs) also made notable contributions with the bat. In the bowling department, Waqar Salamkheil and Andre Russell were the top wicket-takers for TKR, with 11 wickets each while Sunil Narine picked up 10 wickets. TKR secured six wins out of their 10 group stage matches, earning a top-two finish and eventually reaching the final by defeating the Warriors in the first qualifier.
St. Lucia Kings’ Disappointment
The St. Lucia Kings, despite making it to the final four, endured a disappointing campaign in the CPL 2023. The loss of their talismanic skipper, Faf du Plessis, who had already amassed 112 runs in three innings, was a significant setback. Johnson Charles was the only batsman to surpass 200 runs, scoring 238 runs at a relatively pedestrian strike rate of 124. Colin Munro (175 runs) and Roston Chase (156 runs) struggled with their strike rates, affecting the team’s overall performance.
Alzarri Joseph emerged as their best bowler, picking up 12 wickets while Chase contributed 11 wickets. Notably, Matthew Forde showcased his skills, ending the season with 11 wickets, including a best of 4 for 23. Despite their challenges, the St. Lucia Kings managed to secure a spot in the final four but were ultimately eliminated by the Jamaica Tallawahs in the eliminator.
Jamaica Tallawahs’ Mixed Bag
The Jamaica Tallawahs had a mixed campaign in the CPL 2023, securing four wins and one washout to earn a place in the final four. Imad Wasim emerged as the standout all-rounder of the tournament, scoring 313 runs at a strike rate of 130 and picking up 14 wickets. Brandon King, the team’s captain, contributed significantly with the bat, amassing 288 runs with three half-centuries and a strike rate of 145. Alex Hales scored a century and ended the season with 217 runs in seven innings.
In the bowling department, Mohammad Amir led the charge with 16 wickets while Chris Green and Salman Irshad took 15 and 10 wickets, respectively. Despite their mixed performances, the Tallawahs managed to secure a spot in the final four, edging out the Barbados Royals.
Barbados Royals’ Struggles
The Barbados Royals had a forgettable season in the CPL 2023, registering just three wins in 10 matches. It was arguably their worst season in recent memory. While Rahkeem Cornwall showcased his explosive batting with a brutal century (102 not out), his inconsistency was a significant issue, as he managed just 91 runs in his other eight innings. Rovman Powell, who changed franchises, struggled to find his rhythm and scored 193 runs in nine innings despite a high strike rate of 169.
Jason Holder was a standout performer, both with the ball and the bat, taking 16 wickets and contributing 106 runs. However, the Royals lacked depth in their bowling department, with no other bowler managing to take more than eight wickets during the season. Their struggles ultimately led to their elimination from the tournament.
St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots’ Underwhelming Season
The St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots had a challenging season in the CPL 2023, managing just one win in their campaign. A change in captaincy between Sherfane Rutherford and Evin Lewis highlighted the team’s unpreparedness and lack of cohesion.
Andre Fletcher, in the twilight of his career, was the most prolific batsman for the Patriots, amassing 278 runs, which included three half-centuries and a best of 93 not out. Rutherford contributed 194 runs at a strike rate of 155, while Lewis struggled, managing just 85 runs in seven innings. Dominic Drakes scored 68 runs in six innings and Corbin Bosch managed 130 runs.
In the bowling department, Oshane Thomas picked up nine wickets while Drakes had seven, although his economy rate of 11.2 was among the highest in the tournament. Bosch also chipped in with seven wickets. Despite their efforts, the Patriots failed to make a significant impact on the competition.
The 2023 CPL provided fans with a thrilling season filled with standout performances and moments to remember but it all culminated at the National Stadium, Providence with 13,000-plus Warriors fans seeing their home team lift the title for the first time and enjoy a remarkable half-time show that exemplified a true Guyanese culture.
Ultimately, the CPL 2023 showcased the incredible talent and competitive spirit of T20 cricket in the Caribbean, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next season of this prestigious tournament. Congratulations to the Guyana Amazon Warriors for their well-deserved victory and to all the players who made this season a memorable one!
