Crunch time for Tallawahs - All-rounder Russell could return to lift team

The Jamaica Tallawahs are keeping their fingers crossed that star all-rounder Andre Russell will shrug off a niggling knee problem to take his place in the final eleven when they square off today at 1:15 p.m. Jamaica time against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in match 18 of the Caribbean Premier League.

Russell missed the last encounter on Wednesday, where the Tallawahs lost by 36 runs to the Barbados Tridents. That loss condemned the Jamaican franchise to their third defeat in five matches and currently lie fifth in the table on four points. The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are right behind the Tallawahs in sixth place on two points from five games.

A returning Russell will be a welcome sight for the underwhelming Tallawahs batting line-up, with the big-hitting right-hander averaging 58.00 in the four innings he has played so far, with a top score of 52 not out in a losing cause against the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

BATTING STRUGGLES

The rest of the batting unit has struggled throughout the first half of the tournament, with only wicketkeeper Glenn Phillips the other batsman to hit a half-century in the tournament thus far.

It is still to be seen if the Tallawahs coaching staff will keep faith with opener Chadwick Walton who has had a wretched time, with only 13 runs in five innings.

Barbadian Nicholas Kirton may get another opportunity if coach Reifer finally decides that enough is enough with Walton’s poor form.

Pakistan batsman Asif Ali is also expected to keep his place despite finding himself on the wrong side of the CPL law recently.

Ali was found guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct during the Tallawahs’ match against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Tuesday night at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Ali swung his bat in the direction of fast bowler Keemo Paul when he was dismissed in the eighth over of his team’s innings.

The right-hander, who admitted the offence, was charged with being in breach of section 2.18 of the Code of Conduct, acting contrary to the spirit of the game. He was fined 20 per cent of his match fee.

The Tallawahs have not beaten the Patriots in their last four encounters dating back to September 2018.

In the meantime, the unbeaten Trinbago Knight Riders will take on the Barbados Tridents in the opening match of the double-header at 9 a.m. Jamaica time.