The final of the Caribbean Premier League sees the table topping Barbados Tridents taking on the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel which means for the first time Guyana won’t be in the final of the event.
The reason for that is they lost to the Red Steel in the semi-final on Saturday night and with the final taking place at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad the Red Steel will fancy their chances of going all the way now.
If they are going to win the tournament they will have to dispose of the defending champions but Barbados haven’t been as solid on the road this season and will need a top performance if they are to defend their title.
The Red Steel have already seen off Jamaica and Guyana as underdogs this week but they go into the final as the favourites. That is justified I think because the turning wickets should play into the hands of their bowling attack. They will need to bat well because Barbados will but even a mid-range score could be enough here.
Barbados were on top of the pile for much of the season helped by having their home leg of the event first. A good batting wicket in Barbados helped their strong batting line up deliver daunting scores and their bowling attack, which has no weak link, was able to defend those scores but since they left the Kensington Oval they haven’t looked as good and need to bowl above themselves here to win.
Barbados know how to win this tournament but the Red Steel have plenty of winning momentum behind them this week so we’re set for an exciting final. The two sides have played each other twice this season with each winning their home game very comfortably so the final will decide their trilogy.
The Red Steel might be the favourites but I think they are worthy favourites. They won by 72 runs when these two sides met here earlier in the competition and the wickets have got even more in the favour of the home side now which gives them a strong chance of success. Barbados will need to find more spin options to compete but on the face of it they don’t have many and that should be the difference. I’m with the Red Steel here.
Back Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel to beat Barbados Tridents for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Ladbrokes
