CPL 2020 – Jamaica Tallawahs vs Barbados Tridents (JAM vs BAR) Game Plan: Countering spin and Shuffling the Batting order
The CPL 2020 has sparked some interesting T20 matchups. Here, we look at the key game plans and tactical strategies that could play a role in the Jamaica Tallawahs vs Barbados Tridents (JAM vs BAR) game in CPL 2020.
Jamaica Tallawahs vs Barbados Tridents (JAM vs BAR) Game Plan 1
How can Barbados Tridents counter Jamaica’s spin threat?
In Mujeeb ur Rahman and Sandeep Lamichhane, Jamaica Tallawahs have two of the top 8 wicket-takers this season. While Mujeeb has been used primarily for early wickets in the Powerplay as well as in the middle overs, Lamichhane has been bowled almost exclusively in the middle overs.
Also Read: CPL 2020 – Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Lucia Zouks (TKR vs SLZ) Game Plan
As the graphic below shows, Tallawahs’ skipper Rovman Powell has chosen to bowl all of Lamichhane’s overs in one spell in each of the seven (unaffected) games so far. There is a clear pattern here, one which Barbados Tridents could use to their advantage.
| Opposition | Overs Bowled |
| vs SLZ | 9, 11, 13 and 15 |
| vs TKR | 9, 11, 13 and 15 |
| vs GAW | 9, 11, 13 and 15 |
| vs GAW | 10, 12, 14 and 16 |
| vs BT | 10, 12, 14 and 16 |
| vs SKNP | 12, 14, 16 and 18 |
| vs TKR | 8, 10, 12 and 14 |
Sandeep Lamichhane this season has good numbers when bowling to a left-right batting combo. Seven of his wickets this season have come while bowling to such pairs. Furthermore, he gives away just 4.2 runs an over in this scenario, while striking every 11 balls. While bowling to right-right or left-left pairs however, his numbers take a dip. The economy rate rises to 5.4 and he he has taken just 3 wickets in 91 balls.
However, as we have seen, Lamichhane has regularly bowled his four overs all in one go. Knowing this, the batting team could look to deploy two left-handers (or two right-handers) to counter the threat he poses. They might still run the risk of getting out to Mujeeb, but generally he finishes half his quota in the Powerplay, so it won’t be as big a threat as Lamichhane.
Jamaica Tallawahs vs Barbados Tridents (JAM vs BAR) Game Plan 2
Can Jamaica nail down the batting order ahead of the Playoffs?
Jamaica Tallawahs are one of three teams that still have two games remaining. Given that they have already qualified, they should look to use the game-time to finalize their batting order. A lot of doubts have been raised regarding the position of Andre Russell in the eleven. Considering he didn’t bowl in the last (completed) match, him batting as low as 6 was questionable.
Andre Russell this season has been dismissed only twice in five innings. As a result, he has the highest batting average despite scoring at only 135, which is quite low by his standards. With Russell not bowling, the Tallawahs’ management should try batting him up the order. Despite being a right-hander, Russell scores fast (that too at a good average) against leg-break and orthodox bowling, a weakness of the top-four which has been exposed previously. Hence, Russell batting at five, or even four, could strengthen the batting order.
The likes of Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite and Asif Ali all enjoy pace on the ball while at the same time struggling against spinners. Promoting Russell could delay the introduction of pace until the end, at which time the array of power-hitters at Jamaica’s disposal would become much more effective.
Jamaica Tallawahs vs Barbados Tridents (JAM vs BAR) Game Plan 3
To go with an Extra Batsman or Extra Bowler?
Mitchell Santner has been the Tridents’ standout performer with the bat in their last few matches (which says a lot about the struggles they have faced this season). This could warrant a promotion in the batting order, which consequently can open up a slot in the eleven.
The question here is whether to fill it with an extra bowling option or an extra batter? Barbados have been under-par on both fronts, but with their playoff chances already gone, they can look to experiment with their eleven. Since the start of the tournament, Barbados have had trouble in the bowling department. After the 12 overs of Jason Holder, Rashid Khan and Santner are completed, they have been a sitting duck.
Fortunately for Barbados, they are up against a side which has had a very hard time against spin. Jamaica Tallawahs have scored at 8.4 runs per over against pace compared to 5.7 against spin. Only TKR score faster against pace, and only Barbados Tridents themselves score slower against spin.
Barbados have the option of playing an extra SLA in Joshua Bishop who performed well in Santner’s absence against the Zouks. That potentially gives them five spin options in Rashid Khan, Mitchell Santner, Hayden Walsh Jr, Ashley Nurse and Joshua Bishop. It could effectively shut down the right-hand heavy Jamaica lineup.