Match Preview: Grenadines Divers vs Salt Pond Breakers – 1st Match VPL 5

April 9, 2023

Divers and Breakers will kick start the action in VPL’s latest edition. Breakers finished 3rd in the last edition while Divers found themselves last. Breakers have a lot of quality, experience and proven performers in their ranks. Divers has had good teams and played good Cricket in most parts but they usually find a way to give it away!

Divers has made some key signings, trying to change their unfortunate fortunes around. They signed hard hitting all rounder Dean Browne and also snapped up three times winner Bennitton Stapleton. Their biggest signing however is that of former West Indies T20 batsman, Chadwick Walton, a very dangerous hitter of the Cricket ball.

 

In The Spotlight

Divers batting has usually let them down in the past but they are confident of changing that this time around. Their top order looks solid with captain Asif Hooper, Chadwick Walton and Canadian opener Rodrigo Thomas. Thomas grew up in St Vincent and played for St Vincent and the Grenadines U19 so is quite familiar with conditions. Divers have three seamers who are excellent at delivering deadly yorkers in Wesrick Strough, Razine Browne and Romario Bibby. It looks like the spin of Hooper, Wyllie and Richards maybe utilised in the powerplay.

Salt Pond Breakers have Sunil Ambris back in their ranks and they are usually a tougher opposition when he is around. Kadir Nedd, Kadeem Alleyne, Ryan John and Ricavo Williams are all highly destructive players as they have shown in previous editions. Breakers have two excellent left arm spinners to rely on – Jomel Warrican and Rasheed Fredericks. Fredericks represented Strikers in all previous edition and delivered excellent powerplay overs.

Ricavo Williams and Ryan John seems unlikely to arrive for this match, while Bennitton Stapleton and Romario Bibby is unavailable.

 

Form Guide

Grenadines Divers: L L L
Salt Pond Breakers
: L W W

 

Weather

The weather forecast is set to have intervals of sunshine and clouds. While rain has been around, showers have been brief and isn’t expected to have a significant impact on the match.

 

Pitch Conditions

The pitch is usually hard and good for stroke making, however, rain has been around the past few days and the covers would have been on the pitch a bit more than expected. However, with a midday start, any moisture possible will probably be gone.

 

Probable XI

Grenadines Divers: Asif Hooper, Chadwick Walton, Rodrigo Thomas, Dean Browne, Ryshon Williams, Cosmus Hackshaw, Wesrick Strough, Kody Horne, Richie Richards, Geron Wyllie, Razine Browne

Salt Pond Breakers: Sunil Ambris, Kadir Need, Kadeem Alleyne, Jeremy Layne, Seon Sween, Imran Samuel, Luke Wilson, Daveian Barnum, Jomel Warrican, Rasheed Fredericks, Delorn Johnson