Match Preview – 2nd Match: Botanical Gardens Rangers vs Dark View Explorers

May 14, 2021

Botanical Gardens Rangers would be rueing not being finalist at least in edition 2.0 – they were the best team of the round robin but lost their way towards the backend of the tournament. Dark View Explorers played a lot of exciting matches, and have retained the core of their squad – the VPL fans would hope that they continue playing an exciting brand of cricket. Their fans, on the other hand, would wish that they would finish off their matches in more clinical fashion.

 

In The Spotlight

Kesrick Williams is back for the Rangers, missing the 2nd edition being on international duty with the West Indies. They however, have a big blow in losing the service of their stand in captain and Marquee player, Kenneth Dember, who led from the front in all departments. Rangers continue to be a team packed with fast bowlers, and with the absence of Dember, they may well be the team that deploys the least overs of spin throughout the tournament. Keron Cottoy was in destructive mode with the bat in the last edition, showing his growing status as a batsman in the region.

Dark View Explorers have a wonderful batting line up and they have been recording 100+ scores consistently more than any other team.  They however, have been on the losing end due to their bowling being wayward. They may look to deploy a more spin based attack this time, and the seam bowling of Dean Browne doing the death bowling, which he did tremendously in the previous edition.

 

Form Guide

Botanical Gardens Rangers: W L L
Dark View Explorers: L L W

 

Weather

The weather is set to be partly cloudy to sunny for most of the day, with very little chance of rain playing any part in the match.

 

Pitch Conditions

The pitch was relaid in January and no cricket has been played on it since, therefore, no one knows what to expect. The surface is now composed largely of clay – it’s left to be seen whether the fast bowlers or spinners will be the beneficiary of it.

 

Probable XI

Botanical Gardens Rangers: Keron Cottoy, Kesrick Williams, Wayne Harper, Urnel Thomas, Zimron Providence, Winston Samuel, Kimali Williams, Reshawn Lewis, Dorson Cottle, Donald Delpesche, Jaheil Walters

Dark View Explorers: Lindon James, Deron Greaves, Dean Browne, Shamon Hooper, Sealron Williams, Alex Samuel, Dromo Toney, Romano Pierre, Jade Matthews, Maxwell Edwards, Rayan Williams