While the English domestic T20 competition goes on another one begins on the other side of the world when the Caribbean Premier League kicks off on Friday night. It has taken this tournament a while to blossom but the signs are we could be in for the best season yet.
Recent Winners
2016 – Jamaica Tallawahs
2015 – Trinbago Knight Riders
2014 – Barbados Tridents
2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs
The Format
The six sides face each other twice in the league phase of the competition with most of them being home and away although four matches take place in USA. At the end of the group phase the top two go into a qualifier for the final where the winner goes straight into the final. Third and fourth meet in a straight knockout with the winner of that playing the loser of the other game to make up the final fixture.
The Teams
Trinbago Knight Riders go into the tournament as the favourites to win the competition for the second time. With Brendon McCullum as an eye catching overseas player and the Bravo brothers and Sunil Narine has home talents this squad looks good. The playoffs are being played in Trinidad this year too so they look the side to beat but that is factored into the price.
Barbados Tridents are the second favourites for the tournament at 7/2. The 2014 champions still have Kieron Pollard in place while Dwayne Smith and Shoaib Malik are in place too. Wahab Riaz and Kane Williamson bring a solid overseas element to the squad. Nicolas Pooran and Chris Barnwell are solid home options and while I fancy Barbados to run well I suspect others will be stronger.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are the third favourites and in a way it is a surprise they are in that position in the market given that Chris Gayle is in their ranks now. Samuel Badree brings real quality to the ranks too while Carlos Brathwaite, Devon Thomas and Evin Lewis are all household names. Hasan Ali, Mo Hafeez, Tabraiz Shamsi and Chris Morris when he arrives make up a very strong looking squad. Mohammad Nabi could be the X-factor.
Even with the withdrawal of David Miller the St Lucia Stars could lay claim to being the strongest batting side in the competition and if their bowlers can deliver their best then they could be the dark horses for this tournament. Jerome Taylor, Shane Watson and Mitch McClenaghan will shoulder plenty of responsibility.
Twice winners Jamaica Tallawahs are actually the second lowest side in the betting which is a surprise with the squad they have. Any team carrying Kumar Sangakkara, Krishmar Santokie, Kesrick Williams and Lendl Simmons have the potential to be dangerous and their fate could well be determined by how those around them handle the occasion.
Guyana Amazon Warriors look the weakest side on paper and that is reflected in the betting. Martin Guptill, Rashid Khan and Babar Azam are good overseas signings but the home grown talent doesn’t look as strong as in other sides so this could be a campaign of struggle for the Guyanese gang.
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Betting
While I see Trinbago Knight Riders as the team to beat especially with home advantage late on in the tournament I think the value in the outright market lies elsewhere.
The team I like is the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Even allowing for Chris Gayle being past his best they have a standout line up. Evin Lewis is arguably the best opener in the Caribbean right now while players such as Tabraiz Shamsi and Mohammad Nabi could have sides in a tizz. Throw in quality bowling like Hasan Ali and Samuel Badree around an experienced middle order of Hafeez, Thomas and Jonathan Carter and I think we have a side who could take all the beating.
Tips
Back St Kitts & Nevis Patriots to win CPL 2017 for a 2/10 stake at 6.00 with Bwin
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