St Lucia Kings v Barbados Royals CPL Tips: Kings still overrated

• Kings could struggle

• Du Plessis form still a worry

• Pitch good for batting

St Lucia Kings v Barbados Royals
Friday 18 August, 00:00
TV: Live on TNT Sports

St Lucia Kings v Barbados Royals team news

Kings suffered a defeat by Tallawahs in the tournament opener. They lost by 11 going after 187 but it was probably a more convincing win than the margin suggests. Strong hitting from Roshon Primus gave the scoreline a more respectable look as they were never really in the chase.

Faf Du Plessis failed again following a miserable MLC and pre-season predictions that this lot could struggle now we've seen them on the grass seem fair. Read the team-by-team preview here.

Possible XI: Du Plessis, Charles, Williams, Chase, Raza, Melius, Primus, Forde, Joseph, Hatzoglou, Sole

Royals won the league ladder last season and will expect to go close again. They are waiting on the likes of Laurie Evans and Roelof van der Merwe to arrive post The Hundred but they should be more than competitive.

Qais Ahmed is a replacement for Maheesh Theekshana, who is on Asia Cup duty and Alick Athanaze is a young batter of promise.

Possible XI: Mayers, Cornwall, Athanaze, Powell, Greaves, Ferreira, Holder, McCoy, Bishop, Qais, Simmons

St Lucia Kings v Barbados Royals pitch report

Ten of the last 14 first-innings have busted 160 at the Darren Sammy Stadium. Eight have been won by the team batting first so there's no evidence yet of a toss bias. Kings have been consistent batting first at this ground, busting 160 four times so a par line overs play regardless of the toss seems fair after ground form held up in game one.

St Lucia Kings v Barbados Royals match odds

Kings are 1.9110/11 favourites with Royals 2.0421/20. Those prices don't look right because they're not.

Let's forget game one for a moment and instead reiterate that Royals were actually the best team in it last term. They still have enough nous and skill to go close again.

And we may get even bigger. There was a bizarre gamble on Kings before the off which saw Tallawahs priced at a massive 2.407/5. Something similar considering we were on Jamaica would be welcome again.

St Lucia Kings v Barbados Royals player bets

Sikandar Raza is a favourite of this column so we're delighted to be afforded to bet the No 5 at 8/19.00 for a top-bat win with Sportsbook. There is also value on Matthew Forde for top Kings bowler at 4/15.00. He was on death duty against Tallawahs.

For Royals, Rovman Powell will prove popular at 5/16.00 but Athanaze is bat-order bet at 6/17.00 as we expect him to slot in at No 3. He batted there in ODI for West Indies but this will be his first T20 outing.