Daren Sammy’s side beat Jamaica Tallawahs both times last season.
The St. Lucia Zouks start off the 2020 Caribbean Premier League season with a game against two-time champions Jamaica Tallawahs on August 19 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad.
In what will be a peculiar season for all franchises, with games being played behind closed doors with only two designated venues, captain Daren Sammy and co. will be eager to get off to a winning start and build on that momentum in a season where games are being played in quick succession. For the Zouks, the recent head-to-head record against the Jamaica Tallawahs would be cause for optimism.
Head-to-head record
| St. Lucia Zouks | Jamaica Tallawahs |
| 5 | 8 |
The Jamaica Tallawahs have a marginally better head-to-head record, but it was the St. Lucia Zouks who won both the group stage encounters in the 2019 CPL season. Some of the top performers from last season’s games likes Rahkeem Cornwall and Kesrick Williams are still part of the squad and will be charged up to keep their good run of form going against the Tallawahs. The Zouks batted second on both occasions last season, and ended up getting convincing wins with overs to spare.
Watch out for:
Rahkeem Cornwall has been one of the finds of the Caribbean Premier League in the recent past, with his good performances in franchise cricket giving him a few chances at International level. The 27-year-old was given a free hand with the bat last season, opening the innings and going on the aggressive in the powerplay overs. Cornwall scored 254 runs in the CPL last season, which included a 30-ball 75 against the Tallawahs, and also chipped in with the ball.
Mohammad Nabi is another player the Zouks fans would have a keen eye on this season. The Afghani all-rounder has played in franchise tournaments all over the world, and has earned a name for himself for his explosive batting and economical bowling. In the CPL itself, Nabi played 12 times in the 2017 seasons and was clinical with the ball, picking up nine wickets at a thrifty economy rate of just over six.
Opponent corner
For the Jamaica Tallawahs, this could be a season of transition with veterans like Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan no longer at the franchise. Nevertheless, having Andre Russell and Carlos Braithwaite – two heavyweights of T20 cricket, makes them a formidable side. Add mystery spinners Sandeep Lamichhane and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and pacers Oshane Thomas and Fidel Edwards to that mix, and the Tallawahs could be a tricky proposition this season.
Probable XI: Andre Fletcher, Rakheem Cornwall, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Daren Sammy (c), Roston Chase, Scott Kuggelejin, Chemar Holder, Kesrick Williams, Obed McCoy, Zahir Khan
