St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs St Lucia Kings, CPL T20 2022, Today Match Prediction 17 September 2022

sknp vs sls Match Prediction & Analysis

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots would be looking to level scores with Saint Lucia Kings as they take on the 2021 CPL runners-up at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad. So far, 2 of the 3 matches played here were won by teams batting second. It took a phenomenal bowling performance from Knight Riders to defend a low total of 150 runs in their last outing against Guyana at this venue. 

Both Patriots and Kings have a strong bowling attack and will pose a tough challenge at this ground. The last time these two teams met, the likes of Rashid Khan, Akila Dananjaya, and Dwaine Pretorius helped restrict Saint Lucia Kings to just 161 runs. 

While that is the average 1st innings score at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium and the Patriots could have easily chased it down, Kings’ bowling attack had other plans. 

However, soon after they were bowled out for 100 runs in the run-chase, Saint Lucia Kings bounced back with their top-order leading the side to an 8-wicket win over Jamaica Tallawahs at the Queen’s Park Oval.

TEAMS PREVIEW

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Preview

Skipper DJ Bravo will be pleased with his team’s comeback led by the top-order batsmen. While the bowling hasn’t disappointed in a long time, Rashid Khan is just getting better and better. 

The leg-break bowler from Afghanistan finished with figures of 1 for 8 from his 4 overs that included a maiden. Pretorius, Dananjaya, and Bravo are other key bowlers in this Patriots attack. The defending champions feature some big names in their batting lineup. Andrew Fletcher and Evin Lewis open the innings for the side while the experienced Darren Bravo comes in at number 3 followed by big-hitting all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford. 

This batting lineup is as good as it gets. In the middle order, there is the young and aggressive Dewal Brewis, nicknamed Baby AB. He has all the shots in his arsenal and plays all around the ground much like AB de Villiers.

It would be a much-improved batting performance from the Patriots this time around. If they win the toss and bowl first, they are likely to have the upper hand in spite of a spirited bowling attack of Saint Lucia Kings.
 

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Predicted Playing XI:

Andre Fletcher (wk), Evin Lewis, Dewald Brevis, Darren Bravo, Sherfane Rutherford, Dwaine Pretorius, Dwayne Bravo (c), Rashid Khan, Duan Jansen, Akila Dananjaya, Jaden Carmichael

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Actual Playing XI:

Akila Dananjaya, Darren Bravo, Rashid Khan, Jaden Carmicheal, Dewald Brevis, ADS Fletcher, Dwayne Bravo, Sherfane Rutherford, Evin Lewis, Duan Jansen, Dwaine Pretorius

St Lucia Kings Preview

The runners-up from last season were in desperate need of a win after losing 4 of their 5 matches in CPL 2022. And then their bowlers delivered an inspiring performance which took everyone by surprise as they bowled out Patriots for 100 runs while defending a total of 161.

Only once have the Saint Lucia Kings won while batting first this season. It hasn’t been an easy job to lose the toss and then win the match after being put to bat first in CPL 2022.

Their recent win over St Kitts & Nevis Patriots must have boosted their confidence as they play the next two games at a venue that again is similar to that in Saint Lucia. Tim David will not feature in this lineup given that he will be part of Australia’s squad for the T20I series in India.

Saint Lucia Kings’ batting department has already been in trouble since only Johnson Charles and Faf du Plessis are among the run-scorers. And now the exit of Tim David from the lineup is likely to affect the middle order. 

David Wiese at number 7 needs to step up and deliver a significant inning for the team as a match finisher. The likes of Roston Chase, Roshon Primus, Dickwella, and Mark Deyal have failed to make an impact in the middle order. It is the variety in the bowling attack with Alzarri Joseph, Wiese, and Roshon Primus being consistent wicket-takers that will be a match-winning factor for Saint Lucia Kings.

St Lucia Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Johnson Charles, Faf du Plessis (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Roston Chase, Mark Deyal, Roshon Primus, David Wiese, Scott Kuggeleijn, Alzarri Joseph, Matthew Forde, Kesrick Williams

St Lucia Kings Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Faf du Plessis, David Wiese, Alzarri Joseph, Matthew Forde, Kesrick Williams, Roston Chase, Roshon Primus, Johnson Charles, Larry Edwards, Adam Hose

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch has been bowling-friendly for the first half of the game while it becomes much easier to bat on in the 2nd innings. Isolated thunderstorms are expected on the match day with a high of 31 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

The average 1st innings score at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad is 151 runs and teams with quality spinners in their bowling attack will have an advantage. Watch out for Rashid Khan and Roston Chase to make a significant impact with the ball.

Toss: To Bowl

Except for the TKR vs GAW fixture, the venue has been ideal for teams batting second. It will take an outstanding bowling performance for a team to bat first and defend the total. 

Saint Lucia Kings can manage to gain an upper hand in the match even if they lose the toss and are asked to bat first. While their batting isn’t in great form, there is variety in the bowling attack. This also makes the Patriots more likely to defend a total given their bowling strength in contrast to the out-of-form Kings’ batting lineup.