CPL 2020 – Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (JAM vs SKN) Game Plan
The CPL 2020 has sparked some interesting T20 match-ups. Here, we take a look at the key game plans and tactical thinkings that could play a role in the Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (JAM vs SKN) game in CPL 2020.
CPL 2020 Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (JAM vs SKN) Game Plan 1
Under-performing JT’s batting unit aided by SKNP’s below-par bowling performance
Pre-tournament, Jamaica Tallawahs were fascinated for their destructive batting line-up. With the likes of Andre Russell, Glenn Phillips, Rovman Powell and Asif Ali in their ranks, it was obvious. However, as things stand now, they are among under-performers. With a scoring rate of 6.52, the collective batting average of Tallawahs’ batsmen is under 20.
One of the main reasons behind Tallawahs’ failures is that the support-cast has failed to complement the star cast – Glenn Phillips and Andre Russell. Averaging 51.75, Phillips and Russell, combined, have scored 414 runs at 7.86 RPO. They have scored more than 50% of all the runs scored by Jamaican batsmen. And, this despite the fact that Dre Russ has missed two games so far and is a lower middle-order batsman. Averaging 12.82, the other seven capable batsmen have scored just 436 runs at 5.75 RPO.
Because of the emerging player rule, Jamaica will need to play Nicholas Kirton – who has played two matches this season – in their playing XI for their remaining matches. Even though he has below-par numbers in his short white-ball career (including List A & T20s), Kirton – being a southpaw – will add variety in a line-up studded with right-handed batsmen.
Kirton should replace Chadwick Walton in Jamaica’s playing XI. Walton has been terrible in this edition of the CPL. With 10 as his highest score, the 35-year-old has scored just 14 runs off 28 balls in seven innings. While opening the innings in this CPL, he has failed to survive throughout the powerplay even once.
Despite their batting woes, the Tallawahs’ should be helped by the Patriots who have been the worst bowling side in the tournament. The Patriots bowlers collectively average 28.86 and have an economy rate of 7.77. Plus, the Patriots don’t have a left-arm orthodox spinner to encounter an RHB-heavy side.
Ish Sodhi, their senior leg-spinner, is having a forgettable tournament as he is average 79.50 and leaking runs at an economy of over 9. However, Imran Khan, their second leg-spinner, has yielded decent returns so far. Howbeit, you would want him as the second spinner. And, anyway, Jamaica can play him out safely if others don’t maintain the pressure. Among pacers, only Rayad Emrit, the captain, has managed to deliver the goods.
Another worry for the Patriots is that the likes of Russell, Phillips and Powell have good head-to-head records against the Patriots’ bowlers in the past few years in T20s (who have enough sample size are being talked).
CPL 2020 Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Kitts Nevis and Patriots (JAM vs SKN) Game Plan 2
Bring in a bowler and strengthen your bowling line-up, Jamaica!
In Jamaica’s last match, they had Carlos Brathwaite batting at No. 8. That’s a pretty good batting depth. And, with Jamaica struggling to put enough runs on the board, it’s understandable that they are concerned about their batting.
Let’s say Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sandeep Lamichhane and Fidel Edwards will give them 12 overs. Ideally, Russell and Brathwaite should not bowl more than six overs in a T20 match. And, their other bowler is Rovman Powell, the skipper. Powell – who hasn’t picked even a single wicket – has conceded runs at an economy of close to 10 in 11 overs so far. The Tallawahs have just four such bowlers who have bowled 12 or more in this season.
Against spinners in this season, the Patriots batsmen have been averaging 14.91 and have a scoring rate of 5.39 – just a bit better than 14.19 & 5.36 of Tridents. They might bring in Veerasammy Permaul who has an average of under 20 and an economy of 7.70 in three games he has played this season. However, he is a left-arm orthodox spinner and might not be very effective against Evin Lewis and Ben Dunk – two of the most important batsmen of SKNP.
Against off-spinners, the Patriots are the second-worst batting side on both metrics (average and scoring rate). Thus, it won’t be a bad move to consider Ramaal Lewis, an off-spinner. Lewis has bowled just one over in this season and was smashed by Sunil Narine.
However, he could be given another chance. Lewis has played 21 List A matches in which he has picked up 30 wickets at 22.43 with an economy 4.44. Whilst finger spinners offer more control with the ball, they are getting assistance from the pitches used in the CPL.
Now, who should be replaced by the incoming bowler? Unless Jamaica rest one of their main batters, it’s likely to be Nkrumah Bonner.
CPL 2020 Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (JAM vs SKN) Game Plan 3
Do the Patriots have a batting unit?
In their last three games, the No. 6 and No. 7 batsmen have been: Dominic Drakes & Alzarri Jsopeh; Sohail Tanvir & Alzarri Joseph; and Rayad Emrit & Evin Lewis. Whilst Lewis batted at No. 7 (vs Tallawahs) due to an injury, the usage of other candidates in the lower middle-order says a lot.
The overall batting average of the Patriots (17.95) is the second-worst after that of Barbados, and their scoring rate (6.30) is the second-worst after that of Guyana.
As mentioned before the Patriots batsmen haven’t done well with the bat especially against spinners, the quality spin duo of Sandeep and Mujeeb is likely to increase their troubles. Thus, they will also need Evin Lewis to step up who has been their best batsman this season. Lewis is a good player of spin bowling as well, however, Mujeeb – who bowls in the powerplay and is very good vs southpaws – might trouble him.
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Jamaica might not face issues against the Patriots, however, they will need to find a better balance as the tournament is approaching its conclusion.