Badree, Tallawahs looking for strong start against Knight Riders
Published:Thursday | August 9, 2018 | 12:00 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica Tallawahs leg spinner Samuel Badree said that they are aiming for a winning start when they face defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders in their opening match in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) competition at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago today at 7 p.m. Jamaica time.
Speaking from the team's hotel yesterday, Badree, who is also from the twin-island republic, told The Gleaner that it was very important that the Tallawahs make a positive start today.
FIRST GAME
"In any competition, the first game is always important for the team to get some momentum going into the competition, and so it is very important that we start off well and get some points on the board," said Badree.
"Looking at the make-up of the team, I think we are balanced all the way through. We have good batting, and we have some powerful hitters at the depth. We have good fast bowling and good spinners," he said. "I think we have a well-balanced (team), and I am looking forward to some great things with this team."
Badree, who took eight wickets in nine matches in last year's competition, added that he would be imparting his knowledge to other bowlers in the team who have had little experience against the Knight Riders.
"I plan to lend my knowledge and experience to the guys who have not come up against these players before and come up with the game plan and strategy so that we can execute and put this Trinidad team under pressure," said Badree.
"Obviously, they are at home, and they will be coming for victory, and they are confident, but once we can put them under pressure and use the skill and use my experience of playing at the Oval, I think we can outclass and beat them," said Badree, while adding that he planned to exploit the early conditions, which usually favour the spinners at Queens Park Oval.
"I think in the conditions here, spinners have always done well, and so, hopefully, we can get a good start with the new ball and pick up some early wickets and put this team under some pressure," he said.
The Tallawahs, who reached the quarter-finals of last year's competition, will welcome the return of captain Andre Russell after a one-year for an anti-doping whereabouts violation ban. The team also features Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas, and South Africa's David Miller, Ross Taylor, and Glenn Phillips from New Zealand, and Imad Wasim from Pakistan.