IT’S A WRAP
What. A. Finish! The 2021 Hero CPL literally went down to the wire. 1 run to win off the last ball of the final to secure a maiden title for either team. For the second year running, ongoing anti-Covid efforts limited the CPL to a single host Caribbean territory. Like their Trinidadian counterparts previously, all of St. Kitts rose magnificently to the challenge, and their Patriots followed suit. Facing off against the rebranded Saint Lucia Kings, the home team triumphed, sparking jubilant celebrations with their passionate fans. The tightest finish in CPL history left nerves shredded and hearts pounding in both the stands and the dugouts. In the end, we were all left simply exclaiming “Cricket, lovely cricket!”
LETTING THE DUST SETTLE
As I write this piece, the appropriately titled “biggest party in sport” has been over a full 4 days now. So why the delay in penning this summary, you ask? Simple. In the time since that scampered final single for victory, opinion and analysis galore have poured in from every corner. Whether “expert commentator” or “armchair pundit”, it seems everyone, their aunty, uncle, nenen, and dog has had their say. Now that the music has ended and the confetti no longer flutters in the wind, I will speak my piece. My intention is not to delve into the final match for that was a truly fitting finale as it stands. Instead, I shall attempt to examine what went right – or wrong – for each franchise. Along with this, I will boldly offer my humble thoughts on how each should approach next year’s draft. Wish me luck, good people.
BRAVO, PATRIOTS!
The tournament’s home team achieved a maiden CPL title and a sporting rarity – going from worst to first. Clearly, last season’s table proppers found the X factor this year; or was it the (Omega)X factor, hmm? After numerous failures to find the perfect rhythm and beat, the Patriots think tank finally got the right DJ. T20’s resident “champion” brought with him a winning mentality, proven title pedigree, and experience oozing from his every pore. Partnering that with a certain returning Universe Boss created a bedrock of motivation, inspiration, and leadership that was previously missing. Other new additions like Rutherford, Fawad, Shah, and Van Meekeran brought valuable balance and profitable returns with bat and ball.
There is no disputing the fact that Gayle’s terror-inducing aura has waned considerably. Neither could Bravo, skippering the team this year, stay fit enough to play every game. What both were luckily able to do was give timely reminders of why they are T20 legends. The Lewis/Gayle opening partnership fired at the most needed moments to allow the Patriots to pressure opposing bowlers. Even when unable to play, the skipper was an invaluable and constant mentor to his younger charges. The unity and resolve both helped instil into a team that was perennially whipping boys was worth every penny spent. Patriots were the early frontrunners and despite little stumbles, proved they were this season’s crème de la crème. Next year, a lot depends on whether both elder statesmen return, as replacing them would be nigh impossible. If they come back, this team needs precious little for a title defence.
KINGS WITHOUT A CROWN
Rebranded, rebuilt, and rejuvenated, the pride of Saint Lucia was out to prove that last year’s run was no fluke. 2020’s first-ever appearance in the final was a defining moment for the men formerly known as the Zouks. Major statements of intent were made off the field, as the franchise replaced 10 members of that runners-up team. Darren Sammy, for so long the heartbeat of the franchise, stepped away from active play to take a mentorship role. In Faf Du Plessis, the Kings found the perfect replacement to helm the ship. The wily Wahab, along with Joseph, Royal, and Wiese were brought in to bolster the bowling unit. They paid off in spades with 43 wickets between them. Skipper Faf, together with Deyal, David, and Fletcher, racked up a combined 947 runs. The Kings had indeed drafted superbly to address the need for depth across the team.
Saint Lucia’s recent success can also be attributed to one Roston Lamar Chase. The tall Barbadian all-rounder was the franchise’s leading run-scorer in 2020 and performed even better this season. 446 runs, together with 10 wickets, gave his team a reliable go-to man with either bat or ball. The overall strength of the Kings, superbly marshalled by their veteran captain, saw them twice cross the 200-run mark. That both of those wins were against defending champs TKR, and eventual winners Patriots, speaks volumes about the 2021 Kings. For all their brilliant off-field moves and on-field performances, however, they fell agonizingly short for the second consecutive year. The men from the Spice Isle have served notice to their contemporaries, though – underestimate us at your own peril. After this year’s superb draft, there doesn’t seem to be any real holes left to plug for this franchise. Watch out, CPL 2022.
DETHRONED KNIGHTS
Captain Pollard and his all-conquering Knights arrived at CPL 2021 having swept every challenger aside last year. Playing at home in Trinidad, the TKR army was imperious, becoming the first undefeated title winner in CPL history. Many a punter must have had them as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. After all, Pollard brought with him Sir Lendl De Simmons; Sir Bravo the Younger, and Sir Ramdin of the Gloves. There were the Kiwi Knights Sir Tim and Sir Munro; Sir Sunil Spins-a-Lot and the youthful Sir Jayden the Fiery. Back, too were Sir Akeal and Sir Khary, the Laventillian Lefties, and even Sir Yankee Doodle arrived, sans pony. Pollard the Mighty had almost all of his battle-hardened battalion at his beck and call for another title assault. ALMOST all. What he didn’t have was a certain Champion DJ and grizzled Kiwi Head Coach. Both were sorely missed.
DJ Bravo’s decision to pursue a new challenge with the St. Kitts Patriots left the TKR fanbase shaken. Leading 2020 wicket-taker Fawad also joined the host franchise, putting TKR in need of reinforcements. In Isuru Udana and Ravi Rampaul, the Knights found able bowling recruits, the pair combining for 30 scalps. Rampaul claimed a tournament-high 19 wickets to mark a successful CPL return. A total of 74 wickets, with 4 bowlers getting into double figures, meant TKR’s troubles lay not with the ball. It was the flashing blades of their batters that failed. Whereas in 2020 they produced 11 individual scores over 50, this year they managed 3. Bravo (Darren) and Simmons had decreased runs totals by 199 and 163 respectively. Even Pollard’s mighty rearguard efforts ultimately proved not enough. The 2022 draft needs to be batter-centric if the Knights harbour hopes of reclaiming the CPL crown.
THUS ENDS PART 1
I shall finish this first part of my 2021 CPL analysis here. In my next offering, we will examine the fortunes of the Amazon Warriors, Tallawahs, and Royals, so stay tuned. Rest assured; the wait will be a very short one. Until then, please continue to support our work here at www.northzonecricket.com.
