TallaWAH the hell?! - Changes expected for today’s CPL clash against Tridents after disastrous start to season

The Jamaica Tallawahs are expected to make several changes for today’s midday Caribbean Premier League clash against the Barbados Tridents at Sabina Park.

Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle could not hold back his emotions following the team’s 41-run loss to the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) on Friday.

The loss condemned the Tallawahs to a 0-4 start to this season’s tournament, and Gayle believes heads should roll for the team’s poor performance at home, especially with the ball.

“It’s disappointing, to say the least. We have experienced players, bowlers who have played Test cricket and we play like this. It looks bad, and I must apologise to the fans, but we are not going to give up and, hopefully, we can get a win on Sunday (today) that will give the team some confidence moving forward,” said Gayle.

The Tallawahs bowlers have been woeful in the opening four games, conceding a whopping 849 runs, with pacers Oshane Thomas and Jerome Taylor going at over 15 runs per over on more than two occasions.

Thomas leads all bowlers in the tournament in conceding the most runs in an innings, 63 in four overs, against the TKR.

With this in mind, Gayle believes there needs to be a change in the squad to get the right balance heading into the remaining games.

CHANGES COMING

“There will be changes on top of changes, I can tell you that. We cannot walk around with our heads down. Batters will see these weaknesses and capitalise. We need to be brave and bold and show some character,” added Gayle.

The Sunday Gleaner understands that the Tallawahs are lining up a move to possibly bring in former England fast bowler Jade Dernbach to strengthen the team’s bowling unit.

Meanwhile, Gayle is urging the fans to come out and support the team as there is still a lot of cricket left to be played.

“I am urging the fans to come out as we will be giving it our all. Sunday’s game will be a day game, so we won’t have any excuses when the ball goes in the air and our fielders complain that the light is bad. We need to take our catches and show more confidence because we have a talented set of guys in the camp, and we know what they can do when everything goes right,” said Gayle.

One thing that has gone right for the Tallawahs thus far is the team’s batting, which has been the only real bright spot for the two-time champions in this campaign so far.

The team has scored over two hundred runs twice, and with this, Gayle is encouraged moving forward.

“We definitely can’t fault our batting. We have been getting runs, and I am encouraged by the youngsters, who have come into the team and shown that they can play at this level. We need a more collective effort from our senior players and, hopefully, (André) Russell, should be back, which will add some strength and depth to our team,” Gayle added.

The Tallawahs take on a Barbados Tridents side that has won one game and lost one so far. They will be banking on their experienced captain, Jason Holder, to lead their charge along with openers Johnson Charles, Englishman Alex Hales, South African JP Duminy, and Nepalese leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.

Match time is noon.

Wretched Run

vs Trinbago Knight Riders - Lost by 22 runs

vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots - Lost by 4 wickets

vs St Lucia Zouks - Lost by 5 wickets

vs Trinbago Knight Riders - Lost by 41 Runs