CPL Draft Analysis 2017
TEAM – St Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Star Player to watch out for: Chris Morris
Value: 130k
Pick analysis: Morris is a genuine match winner, bowls with good pace and has the ability to strike in the power play overs. With the bat he has the power and skill to change the course of the game.
Value Player to watch out for: Sheldon Cotterell
Value: 7.5k
Player analysis: Consistent performer with the new ball, being a left-arm quick that can swing it he presents a challenge to any top order.
Summary – With the off-season signing of Chris Gayle, the Patriots overnight look like title challengers. Along with Gayle there has been some very shrewd signings with a real all-round look to it. Ben Cutting, Chris Morris and Mohammad Nabi provide a diverse range of skills, which will prove formidable. The prospect of the Gayle/Lewis combination at the top of the order followed by the power all-rounders in the middle could well post some big totals this year. The attack will be challenging for most with the clever and skillful combination of Badree and Shamsi.
TEAM – Barbados Tridents
Star Player to watch out for: Kane Williamson
Value: 130k
Pick analysis: Currently one of the best batsman in the world in all forms of the game, has a very adaptable game which will prove to be the backbone of the Tridents this year.
Value Player to watch out for: Tino Best
Value: 4k
Player analysis: Unpredictable exciting and an entertainer sums up Tino! This could well be a shrewd signing as he has pace and impact ability, watch this space!
Summary – A welcome return to the Tridents for Dwayne Smith, the combination of Smith and Williamson at the top of the order is appealing. With a powerful middle order the balance looks set for a headache for a few bowling attacks. With the inclusion of Wahab Riaz and Best, the Tridents attack will mainly rely on their pace attack to have an impact with an inexperienced spin attack they could be relying on the part-time spin of Williamson and Pakistan’s Shaoib Malik.
TEAM – Guyana Amazon Warriors
Star Player to watch out for: Rashid Khan
Value: 60k
Pick analysis: Star leg spinner from Afghanistan, Rashid has the skill to bowl at any stage of the innings. Tagged as a mystery spinner, and rightly so, he has bamboozled batsman since arriving on the scene.
Value Player to watch out for: Steven Taylor
Value: 30k
Pick analysis: Stephen is a dynamic top order batsman who has previously played with the Tridents. He is one of the great success stories of the Hero CPL’s affiliation with the ICC Americas.
Summary – The inclusion of Chadwick Walton and Taylor at the top of the order should prove to be excellent support for the two damaging overseas stars Martin Guptill and Chris Lynn. The loss of Adam Zampa will be well filled with the dynamic and mystical Rashid Khan from Afghanistan. Khan comes to the CPL with a formidable record in T20 cricket. A huge responsibility will be on the experienced shoulders of pace duo Rayad Emrit and Sohail Tanvir.
TEAM – Jamaica Tallawahs
Star Player to watch out for: Muhammad Sami
Value: 70k
Player analysis: Muhammad has a huge amount of experience, which will prove to be a great asset to the Tallawahs, and his ability to take key wickets will be invaluable.
Value Player to watch out for: Kesrick Williams
Value: 30k
Player analysis: Coming off a very successful Hero CPL in 2016, Kesrick has displayed great skills with the ball in particular during the death overs where his change of pace has challenged a number of teams.
Summary – Huge responsibility and expectation will be on Lendl Simmons after the Gayle departure, Simmons has dominated the tournament in the past and will need to do it again. He will be well supported at the top by Kumar Sangakkara and the exciting Rovman Powell. The loss of Andre Russell is another gap that is irreplaceable but it will provide an opportunity for Powell to continue to grow. Muhammad Sami’s experience will be welcomed into the attack alongside the skillful Krishmar Santokie and Kesrick Williams. Imad Wasim, with Shakib al Hasan, will again play an important role as the two spinners.
TEAM – St Lucia Stars
Star Player to watch out for: Lasith Malinga
Value: 130k
Player analysis: Lasith has been the leading T20 bowler around the world and, having had a few injuries recent times, he will be a welcome addition to the Stars line-up. With an outstanding ability to strike with the new or old ball he’s a great asset to any team.
Value Player to watch out for: Marlon Samuels
Value: 30k
Player analysis: It goes without saying, getting a player of Marlon’s experience and skill is a huge catch. Marlon will add to what is already a very strong top six; his part time off spin will also come in handy on the slow turning tracks around the League.
Summary – A team that is packed with a powerful top order, runs shouldn't be an issue for the Stars this year. Their only problems is setting their batting order to keep the balance right and the players comfortable in their assigned roles. A huge responsibility on the shoulders of both Jerome Taylor and Malinga with the ball as their bowling depth will be challenged. The inclusion of the leg spin of Eddie Leie will provide much needed variation to support Shane Shillingford.
TEAM – Trinbago Knight Riders
Star Player to watch out for: Brendon McCullum
Value: 130k
Player analysis: Brendon has an incredible knack of creating a positive dressing-room where he can play his fearless brand of cricket. Brings a tremendous amount of experience and x-factor to TKR who have a number of match winners in their lineup.
Value Player to watch out for: Shadab Khan
Value: 30k
Player analysis: Very young, at 18 years of age, but Shadab from Pakistan could well be a smart pick, bowls well controlled leg spin and came to everyone’s attention after a successful PSL. On some of the turning surfaces in the Caribbean he could prove to be a real trump for TKR.
Summary – A well-balanced side with great batting strength and depth, New Zealander McCullum and Hashim Amla have a wealth of class and experience but the two left handers in Colin Munro and Darren Bravo will add great depth. The team will again rely on the all-round skills of Dwayne Bravo as he seems to be the heartbeat of this team. Their pace attack appears to lack some depth of experience but this is made up with the quality of Sunil Narine and Nikita Miller to spin their web.
