Match Preview: La Soufriere Hikers vs Fort Charlotte Strikers – 19th Match VPL 5
Who would have thought that a match involving Strikers would be one of the match ups of the tournament? Strikers defeated Hikers in this edition, the first time they have ever won against Hikers in VPL. Strikers squad is solid and have players who can win a match on their own. The batting have been carried largely by Carlos Brathwaite, who have been hitting some towering sixes, and Salvan Browne who is very attacking and enterprising by nature, even at the backend of his career. Gidron Pope has not turned up to the party as yet and he will need to get his dancing boots on to ensure Strikers is an even tougher team to take on. Jerome Jones has been leading the way with the ball, bowling really good with the new ball and at the backend of the match. His bowling performance basically gave them the win against Hikers. Carlos Brathwaite is showing his experience and bowling cleverly. Ray Jordan is the one bowler who hasn’t been quite at his best – if he is bowling well, Strikers will be the real deal.
Hikers are finding it tougher in this edition of VPL. Spin has not been as effective as it was in previous edition. Despite that, Larry Edward has been marvellous in his last few games. Rayan Williams has been bowling well, being chosen for difficult occasions and has come out with impressive results. The experiment of bowling Jonathan Carter seemed to have been halted as he has been quite expensive at the death. They have opted to use Ojay Matthews, who have been a sensational bowler for them in difficult situations in past editions. The top order for Hikers is in form, with Carter, Maloney and Douglas all in the runs. Maloney is not messing around and is taking the attack to the opposition. One things for certain, champion teams don’t make the same mistakes twice and Strikers will have to play out of their skin to get on top of this match.
Form Guide
La Soufriere Hikers: W L W
Fort Charlotte Strikers: W W W
Weather
The weather forecast for this match is good with very little chance of rain. Whatever rain that maybe lingering about will be brief.
Pitch Conditions
The strip being used for this match was the one where Hikers made 155, the all time best score of VPL. Historically, it has been the highest scoring of all the strips.
Probable XI
La Soufriere Hikers: Desron Maloney, Dillon Douglas, Othneil Lewis, Jeheil Walters, Jonathan Carter, Rayan Williams, Kirton Lavia, Larry Edwards, O’Jay Matthews, Andrew Thomas, Andre Hunte
Fort Charlotte Strikers: Gidron Pope, Salvan Browne, Hiram Shallow, Carlos Brathwaite, Sealroy Williams, Donwell Hector, Kevin Abraham, Winston Samuel, Alston Bobb, Ray Jordan, Jerome Jones