Barbados Tridents will fight it out with the Antigua Hawksbills in a return match in the Caribbean Premier League on Saturday at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.
Revenge will be on the mind of the Hawksbills after their loss in the previous encounter against the Tridents. It looks a hard task as the Tridents have been in good form.
The Kieron Pollard-led Tridents will hope to register their third win in a row after they beat Darren Sammy's St.Lucia Zouks in their last match. They ended up winning the game convincingly by 29 runs.
Marlon Samuels' Antigua Hawksbills are desperate to open their account after failing to pick up a win so far in CPLT20 2014.
Tridents, buoyed by their last two successful outings, would, without a shadow of doubt, be the more confident of the two sides. After losing their first game to Red Steel the batting has improved leaps and bounds. This showed in the last two encounters.
Against the Zouks, Barbados posted 187 on the board. The hard-hitting Dwayne Smith's unbeaten 110 was instrumental in them registering such a big target. Smith's great six hitting ability was on display as he cleared the ropes no less than eight times.
Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik followed up his 72 against the Hawksbills by scoring 49 useful runs as well. The bowlers too ensured the target stayed out of reach for the Zouks as they could manage just 157.
Pollard would have been pleased that Smith came good in the last match and he will be hoping that the opener can turn it on again in Saturday's game. Malik, who's done well guiding the team through tough periods, will look to carry on batting well.
Ravi Rampaul played a crucial role in restricting the Hawksbills in their earlier game to 172 when they could've got more. He took four wickets in that game. A similar performance would bolster his team. His pace partner Jason Holder would be looking to come to the party. He was economical in the match against the Zouks, while finishing with one scalp.
Jeevan Mendis, the Sri Lankan, was very miserly in the last game against Sammy's men, giving away only 16 runs in four overs with a wicket. Another similar performance would hold his team in good stead.
Skipper Kieron Pollard, will look to produce a big score and show why bowlers are so wary of him, especially in this format. He hasn't yet made that big score yet.
Picking themselves up and getting off the mark would be uppermost in the minds of the Antigua Hawksbills. They've been dogged by inconsistent performances. Against the Red Steel, their bowlers copped a pasting at the hands of Irishman Kevin O' Brien.
Saaed Ajmal, if he plays, has to show why he is thought to be the world's best spinner. Amongst others, Samuels himself has a wicket-taking knack. The skipper will hope pacer Sheldon Cottrell can make early inroads.
The batting for the Hawksbills appears to be the key. Making a massive score can provide their bowlers with enough runs in the bank. A good start from Danza Hyatt and Aussie Ben Dunk will give them confidence.
Samuels and David Hussey appear to be the best batsmen in their side. If a big score has to be made they will have to play crucial roles. Wicket-keeper Devon Thomas, who made 38 in their last game, is capable of making a handy contribution again. A blazing innings from someone is maybe what the Hawksbills need, to get going.
Where to Watch Live
The game will start at 4 pm local time (1:30 am IST) with coverage on Sony Six in India. The match is available live online HERE. US viewers can catch the action on ESPN3, with the option to live stream HERE.
