Match Preview: La Soufriere Hikers vs Dark View Explorers – 22nd Match VPL 5

Explorers are out of the playoffs. They more than likely will use their remaining matches to give chances to players who have been on the bench for most part. It has been quite a disappointing season for them, considering the kind of players that they have. They have players who have led the charts in batting and bowling in previous editions but none of those players are contenders this time around. The lone shining light has been Shadrack Descarte, who has lit up this VPL and nearly made it his own. He nearly won games on his own with the bat and had he had more help at the top, Explorers could have been easy contenders for a playoff spot. All that is gone now!

Hikers have already qualified and they will want to seal a spot in the top two. Even if they win this match, it is still not certain that they will finish in the top two so they’ll just play to win and let the rest take care of itself. They have won two tough games recently, showing that they are still the team to beat. The major worry for Hikers batting is that if one of the top three of Carter, Maloney and Douglas doesn’t make runs, they can be in some trouble. They are looking better and better as a unit with the ball and praises must be sung for Rayan Williams, who has been chosen to bowl key overs and has delivered more often that not. The bowling has looked more assured with O-Jay Matthews being favoured with the ball over Jonathan Carter. What Hikers do well under the leadership of Maloney, is to quickly identify weaknesses and try to correct them as soon as possible.

Form Guide

La Soufriere Hikers: W W L
Dark View Explorers: L L L

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 that was used on day 9 is being used for this match – generally a good batting surface with not much in it for the bowlers.

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

Dark View Explorers: Romano Pierre, Deron Greaves, Sealron Williams, Tilron Harry, Shadrack Descarte, Shaman Hooper, Rickford Walker, Darius Martin, Denson Hoyte, Navin Stewart, Kenson Dalzell