Amazon Warriors to defend title today, Kings looking for maiden crown

Moeen Ali has been Guyana’s x-factor with both bat and ball and once again will be expected to have an impact.
Moeen Ali has been Guyana’s x-factor with both bat and ball and once again will be expected to have an impact.

After their sixth attempt in a Republic Bank CPL final, last year the Guyana Amazon Warriors finally won their maiden title on home-soil in front of a capacity crowd at the National Stadium, Providence, when they defeated arch-rivals the Trinbago Knightriders (TKR) by nine wickets with six overs to spare.

This time around, despite having a rollercoaster campaign thus far, including two defeats to TKR in the league stage, the Warriors have managed to book a spot in the final tonight, where they will attempt to retain their title and make it back-to-back triumphs against the feisty St. Lucia Kings.

Ahead of tonight’s final, which is slated for 7:00pm at the same venue, Amazon Warriors head-coach Lance Klusener stated in a media interview that the Warriors mindset will not change as they face the Kings, whom they lost to in qualifier one earlier in the week. Asked about the importance of the team winning a second title at home, Klusener said, “I think the beauty of not just Guyana but the CPL is that the franchises are countries as well, and just to see the people getting behind not just the Amazon Warriors but the Guyana team as a whole is something that is special and doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world. That for us is special, you play for your country, you play for the badge on the front, and as a franchise, that for us is a bonus.”

St. Lucia Kings Head-Coach Daren Sammy

Meanwhile, for the St. Lucia Kings, it is their chance to win a maiden title. In the three times that they have faced the Amazon Warriors this season, they have lost twice and will be looking to improve that record in what will be their third appearance in a final.

Daren Sammy, the Kings head-coach, noted that the opening partnership and form of Faf du Plessis and Johnson Charles have played a key role in getting his side to the final. However, Sammy pointed out that Charles, who has added the switch hit to his arsenal of shots and is the leading run-scorer of the CPL this year, has been a “revelation” for his side, especially with his good form against spin.

Guyana Amazon Warriors
Head-Coach Lance Klusener

Charles’ newfound ability will be needed tonight, especially with the champions boasting an impressive cadre of spinners who have at times stifled teams through the middle period of their innings.

While Sammy noted that the win against the Warriors in qualifier one was important, he stressed that the most important game will be played tonight. “Sunday (tonight) at 7:00pm when the umpire calls time, that will be the most important win of the campaign. We started the campaign with one mission, and with the last game of the tournament, that is the goal, and Guyana is in our way. Whatever we have done before that doesn’t matter; it is what we are going to do on the 6th [today], and the Kings, I believe we are ready to take on 20,000 people that are going to be at the stadium and the defending champions that are not really ready to let go of the title. It’s going to be a really tough battle, but one that the Kings are ready for,” Sammy stated.

Overall, Guyana sports an historic advantage following 15 wins in 25 meetings, with eight defeats and one no-contest.

Johnson Charles, who is St. Lucia’s leading run scorer, will be pivotal in partnership with Faf du Plessis.