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…the Race is Not for the Weak!

BASSETERRE, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS – AUGUST 27: Andre Fletcher of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots hits 4 during the 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League – The 6IXTY Men’s match 9 between St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and Trinbago Knight Riders at Warner Park Sporting Complex on August 27, 2022 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Photo by Randy Brooks – CPL T20/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

The signals are clear! Legendary but feeble will not do; ambitious but indiscipline will be punished; a team without deep and balance will be frustrated – it’s rubbing softness with hardness.

From what was showcased at the Warner Park in St Kitts, the 2022 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) promises four weeks of great value-for-money for all who are privileged to view the Calypso Cricket.

The events confirmed that there is a science of success in T20 Cricket. Cricket teams must have depth and balance in both bowling and batting; have panther-like out-cricket skills; and demonstrate application and adaptability with bat and ball. Saint Lucia Kings and Guyana Amazon are yet to sprint out of the block – Jamaica Tallawahs have dominated their way to the top of the point table – with Barbados Royals.

One of the “star-performers” of the week was Grenadian Andre Fletcher. Following his Man-of-the-Series performance in the SKYEXCH6IXTY which preceded the CPL, he entertained us with a brilliant 81 off 55 balls. What we saw was a reformed, refreshed, refocused, and refined Spice Man. He delighted us “lessor mortals” at Warner Park, in our living rooms and on our mobile phones, with classical batsmanship that called to mind, Lawrence Rowe and Carl Hooper; the signature wall-like defense of Desmond Haynes and; the power-hitting of Sir Vivian Richards.

You know what – I think Fletcher was making a statement to the Cricket West Indies Selectors – “here is your “born-again” West Indies opening batsman for the October 2022 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

As the Nightly Cricket Show goes to Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Guyana, the signal is loud and clear – the race is not for the weak; the drama is not for the cavalier!

See you at the theatre!

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