SKNP's quest to put 2023's horrors behind them with a good show
| Date | August 30, 2024 |
| Time | 4:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua |
| Format | T20 |
| Series | Caribbean Premier League 2024 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Brandon King has odds of 3.15 to be the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons' best batsman
- Evin Lewis has odds of 3.85 to be the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots' best batsman
- Mohammad Amir has odds of 3.60 to be Antigua and Barbuda Falcons' best bowler
- Anrich Nortje has odds of 3.25 to be the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots' best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
We are all set to kickstart the Caribbean Premier League 2024, and debutants Antigua and Barbuda Falcons will begin their campaign by taking on the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons will replace the Jamaica Tallawahs this season and look to make a promising start in their first game. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots struggled last year despite having a strong team and finished at the bottom of the points table. They have a formidable batting lineup and shall start the game with higher odds. Both teams shall look for a good start, and a close contest will be on the cards.
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons Preview
Brandon King hopes to give his new franchise a dream start in the tournament. The former Jamaica Tallawahs' skipper brings experience and shall look to lead from the front. There is a lot of exciting talent in this squad, but many of these players haven't played together in the past. While they aren't the favorites to win this contest on cricket betting apps, King would like to earn the first points with a win.
The opening pair of Brandon King and Fakhar Zaman is formidable, and the team expects an electrifying start. Sam Billings adds solidity to the lineup in the middle order, and he will look to add runs with Teddy Bishop and Imad Wasim. The team's lower middle order is strong, and they need good performances from Shamar Springer, Fabian Allen, and Chris Green.
Their bowling attack will be under pressure as the Patriots have big hitters. Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir must get early breakthroughs to put the side in a strong position. Fabian Allen and Hayden Walsh must bowl in the right areas in the middle overs. The team expects Chris Green and Springer to do well in the supporting role.
Expected Starting XI for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons
Brandon King (c), Fakhar Zaman, Sam Billings (wk), Imad Wasim, Teddy Bishop, Fabian Allen, Chris Green, Shamar Springer, Hayden Walsh, Mohammad Amir, Kelvin Pitman
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Preview
Evin Lewis will look to get over the upsets of the last season. They had a torrid time in 2023, finishing at the bottom of the points table with just one victory to their name. This year, they are stronger, as reflected in the odds cricket betting sites assigned them. Lewis will look to get the best out of his players and set the ball rolling for the rest of the season.
Evin Lewis will look to deliver a good start as he opens the batting with his long-time partner Andre Fletcher. Rilee Rossouw shall bat at No. 3 and add firepower to the batting with Kyle Mayers and Sherfane Rutherford. The Patriots have depth in the batting lineup and expect quick runs from Johann Layne, Sikandar Raza, and Dominic Drakes.
Bowling was one of the side's big weaknesses last year. They have strengthened it and expect a good show with the new ball from Anrich Nortje and Odean Smith. Tabraiz Shamsi is an experienced bowler in this format and shall look to do well with Dominic Drakes in the middle overs. Kyle Mayers, Sikandar Raza, and Sherfane Rutherford complete a strong bowling attack for the team.
Expected Starting XI for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots
Evin Lewis (c), Andre Fletcher (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Johann Layne, Dominic Drakes, Sikandar Raza, Odean Smith, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kyle Mayers, Rilee Rossouw
TOSS: To Bowl First
It is the first game on this surface in a while, and we expect it to be a flat track where the bowlers will generate pace and bounce with the new ball. Batting conditions will ease in the second innings, and the team winning the toss shouldn't hesitate to bowl first.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
We expect overcast skies over Antigua, and rain disruptions may occur during the game. Batsmen have to play to the merit of the ball, as the wicket will aid the bowlers. It isn't the most batsmen-friendly venue in the Caribbean, and the team batting first will be happy to have 180 runs on the board.
OUR PREDICTION
It is a fresh start to a season, and both teams shall look to start positively. Antigua and Barbuda Falcons lack experience compared to their opponents, and it will be interesting to see if the new players can play well as a unit. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have a settled side and have retained the core team from last season. It will be a close contest, but due to their experience, the Patriots will start a step ahead.
Our prediction is for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to win
)
