Big Picture: A season of surprises
Kingsmen managed only four wins in ten group-stage games, beating the two bottom-placed teams (TKR and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots) twice, and they somehow entered the playoffs, which featured three other teams they had not beaten earlier this season. They suddenly caught fire in the knockouts, beating Barbados Tridents in the Eliminator and then Amazon Warriors in Qualifier 2. Now only Moeen Ali’s Falcons stand between Kingsmen and a maiden CPL title.
Like Kingsmen, Falcons are also hunting for their first CPL title after finding themselves in the final for the first time. After jetting off to the Caribbean from the Hundred, Moeen hasn’t scored heaps of runs, but has brought the team together, showing that at 39, he can still add value to franchises as a leader.
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons WWWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Jamaica Kingsmen WWLLW
In the spotlight: Shadab Khan and Hunain Shah
There’s no reason for both sides to tinker with their combinations unless there are injuries or illness.
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons: 1 Rakheem Cornwall, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Amir Jangoo (wk), 4 Hasan Nawaz, 5 Moeen Ali (capt), 6 Shadab Khan, 7 Fabian Allen, 8 Joshua James, 9 Shamar Springer, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Sufyan Moqim
Jamaica Kingsmen: 1 Maaz Sadaqat, 2 Kirk McKenzie, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Saim Ayub, 5 Rovman Powell (capt), 6 Andre Russell, 7 Hassan Khan, 8 Romaine Morris (wk), 9 Keemo Paul, 10 Vitel Lawes, 11 Hunain Shah
It remains to be seen whether a fresh pitch will be rolled out for the CPL final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. There’s a forecast for some rain in Bridgetown on the day of the final.
Stats and Trivia: Hunain Shah, CPL’s new yorker king
“Joshua James [is] probably not the quickest, but I think for me he’s been one of the best bowlers in the tournament. He’s a captain’s dream, comes and nails his skills every time. Reliable and great to have in your team.”
Falcons captain Moeen Ali on the development of Joshua James
“We just wanted to squeeze into the playoffs because we know once you get a Jamaica team into the playoffs, they’re dangerous.”
Kingsmen captain Rovman Powell sounds out a warning
