CPL 2020 – Trinbago Knight Riders Vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (TKR vs SKN) Game Plan: Stifling Pollard and Fixing the Patriots’ Bowling
CPL 2020 has sparked some interesting T20 match-ups. Here, We look at the key game plans and tactical strategies that could play a role in the Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (TKR vs SKN) game in CPL 2020.
CPL 2020 Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (TKR vs SKN) Game Plan 1
Can Sheldon Cottrell solve the Patriots’ bowling woes?
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have been mediocre, to put it mildly, in terms of their bowling attack this season. In the 22 matches prior to today’s first encounter, the Patriots have the highest bowling average, with a trade-off of 27 runs per wicket taken (excluding run-outs). They take a wicket every 21 balls or 3.3 overs, which translates to 6 wickets taken in a full 20-over game – once again the lowest of all teams.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots management have also made some questionable decisions vis-à-vis team selection this year. They continue to rotate between Sheldon Cottrell (4 games), Sohail Tanvir (5 games), Alzarri Joseph (3 games). Changes in personnel are again expected for today’s fixture, with Sheldon Cottrell likely to play, while Ish Sodhi (33 runs in 2.3 overs last game) should miss out.
Also Read: TKR vs SKN Dream11 Prediction, Team and Fantasy cricket Tips for CPL 2020
This is one match-up, however, where their array of left-arm bowlers may give them an advantage. To take full advantage of their pace stock, Cottrell should be given the new ball. Since 2017, he has the most wickets with the new ball – 18.
The Patriots and Knight Riders have faced each other on ten occasions in the three seasons prior to this year, and Sheldon Cottrell (14 wickets) has the most wickets from either side in these matches. From the Knight Riders side, Sunil Narine and Ali Khan have 10 and 9 wickets in these fixtures respectively.
Sheldon Cottrell’s left-arm angle and his ability to swing the ball at pace in the Powerplay overs makes him the ideal new-ball bowler, which the Patriots had in their squad but failed to utilize. He also gets key wickets at the death and has slower balls, yorkers, bouncers in his arsenal and can vary his speeds to maximize the surprise quotient.
CPL 2020 Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (TKR vs SKN) Game Plan 2
How do the Patriots Suppress Kieron Pollard?
Kieron Pollard this season has 165 runs which have come at a strike-rate of 206.2 (best in this CPL) and a dot-ball percentage of just 32.5, which is the lowest of any batsman to have faced 20 balls this season. He has hit the most sixes this season (17) and has the 2nd-highest batting average (55). He has combined brute power and beautiful timing with his experience of knowing whom to target to achieve clean hitting of the highest order.
The question for the bowling team is, how do they restrict Kieron Pollard in the form of his life? For St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, the answer is straightforward. They have four bowlers in their squad against all of whom Kieron Pollard has struggled in the last few seasons. Their captain Rayad Emrit as well as Alzarri Joseph, Sheldon Cottrell and Sohail Tanvir have good numbers against the Knight Riders captain since 2017.
In the CPL since 2017, Kieron Pollard against these bowlers collectively averages just 13.2 with a measly strike-rate of 110. Even though Pollard has timed his entry to the crease perfectly in almost all the matches, the Patriots in all likeliness should have this match-up covered, barring a drastic anomaly.
CPL 2020 Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (TKR vs SKN) Game Plan 3
Will the real Lendl Simmons please stand up?
Lendl Simmons has not had the best tournament with the bat so far. He has aggregated 114 runs across 7 innings, at a below-par strike-rate of 92.7. According to CricViz, he has the 7th lowest aggregate match batting impact this season. His struggles in the Powerplay have directly contributed to the Knight Riders below par Powerplay numbers.
In his first five matches, Simmons was dismissed within the Powerplay all five times, and he kept a lot of the strike as well. He faced 42% of the Powerplay deliveries and accounted for only 36% of the Powerplay runs. In the last two matches, Simmons managed to bat through the Powerplay, although he struck at only a run-a-ball. The return of Sunil Narine should augur well, not only for the Knight Riders, but for Lendl Simmons as well.
The key for Simmons will be to rotate strike and be wary against the likes of Cottrell and Tanvir (who swing the ball up-front) and allow his opening partner to make the most of the Powerplay. After the fielding restrictions are completed, Simmons may be able to bat more freely. If the first day game on return to the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium is anything to go by, there are runs to be had for batsmen; Lendl Simmons just has to reduce dot ball pressure and feast on the Patriots pace bowling.