The St Lucia Zouks will aim to move level on points with Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday when they host the Barbados Tridents in the second Caribbean Premier League match of the season at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.
St Lucia enjoyed a comfortable start to their home leg of the season with a solid win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Thursday and a win here would have them on the edge of the playoffs with more games to go. Barbados hit the skids against Jamaica last time out so they have plenty to play for as well.
St Lucia Zouks
It was a perfect performance from the Zouks in their opening match here. They batted with purpose and intent throughout their innings and they bowled very tight lines and good lengths and were hard to get away at the key times which bodes well for them.
The addition to the ranks of Jerome Taylor is already having an effect on the side. They look more aggressive with the ball and they have genuine options at the death now even on these batsmen friendly wickets that are delivered here.
Barbados Tridents
It was a big blow for the Tridents to lose both AB de Villiers and Wayne Parnell for the rest of the competition and their replacements while solid enough don’t have the same x-factor and don’t scare opposition nearly as much and that is something that needs to be addressed.
Jason Holder being away with the Test squad isn’t helping matters either so Barbados have a number of issues to solve going into this match not least how they are going to restrict sides and keep them to totals which a much weaker batting line up can now chase down.
Betting
We have a settled side facing an unsettled side here with the unsettled side having to travel too which is never easy. With that in mind I expect the St Lucia Zouks to pick up where they left off on Thursday and come through this match.
AB de Villiers leaving any side will leave a huge hole and that is if it was expected but when it wasn’t part of the plan the effect it has is even greater and while they’ve had a couple of days to come to terms with the situation I still don’t see them function as well in his absence. It is the Zouks for me in this one.
Tips
WON – Back St Lucia Zouks to beat Barbados Tridents for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with 888sport
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