In an exciting turn of events for cricket fans, Dwayne Bravo, the renowned all-rounder, will be reuniting with his former captain Kieron Pollard at the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023. Bravo, who previously played for the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, will now join forces with a star-studded TKR side that boasts the likes of Pollard, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Nicholas Pooran.
This formidable quartet, having represented TKR last season, is determined to redeem themselves after the team’s disappointing finish at the bottom of the points table, failing to secure a playoff spot.
Currently serving as the bowling coach for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bravo’s return to his home franchise has generated great anticipation among fans and players alike. Pollard expressed his excitement, stating, “The champion DJ Bravo is coming back to his home franchise TKR.
Our relationship and our friendship is second to none, and this is a very good opportunity for us both to represent TKR together once again in the upcoming season. We are very happy to have him back in red and black.”
Bravo’s exceptional skills as a bowler have earned him numerous accolades, including the title of the highest wicket-taker in CPL history. With an impressive record of 124 wickets in 97 matches at an economy rate of 8.69, he has established himself as a dominant force in the T20 format, with a total of 615 wickets in 558 games at an economy rate of 8.23, making him the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket overall.
The announcement of Bravo’s return to TKR coincided with the appointment of Phil Simmons as the team’s new head coach, replacing Abhishek Nayar. Having previously served as the head coach of the West Indies national team, Simmons brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, adding further strength to the TKR setup.
Bravo’s stint with the Patriots proved fruitful in 2021 when he played a pivotal role in their title-winning campaign. Notably, Bravo mentored left-arm seam-bowling all-rounder Dominic Drakes, often positioning himself strategically at mid-off or mid-on. However, the team’s performance took a dip in 2022, failing to qualify for the playoffs and finishing just above TKR in the standings.
Meanwhile, the Patriots will witness significant changes in CPL 2023 with the departure of both Bravo and coach Simon Helmot. Helmot, who withdrew due to prior commitments, currently serves as an assistant coach for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
Consequently, the Patriots have appointed Malolan Rangarajan, a former Tamil Nadu spin-bowling all-rounder and Helmot’s assistant in the previous season, as their new head coach. Rangarajan, who is currently involved with the Royal Challengers Bangalore as their fielding coach and head of scouting, will be stepping into his first head coach role in a T20 league.
Additionally, the Patriots have made a significant signing by acquiring the services of fast bowler Oshane Thomas, who moved from the Barbados Royals. This will be Thomas’ third CPL team, having previously represented his home franchise, the Jamaica Tallawahs.
Although Thomas has faced fitness concerns in recent times, his potential as a fast bowler has caught the attention of the West Indies Cricket Board (CWI). Thomas has reached out to the CWI to discuss a possible roadmap for his return to international cricket, highlighting the board’s belief in his ability to contribute to the Test format.
Desmond Haynes, the lead selector for the West Indies, expressed the board’s support for Thomas, stating, “Oshane had the ability to bowl a cricket ball fast, and he should be encouraged.” Haynes also mentioned ongoing discussions with Thomas and his management, highlighting the prospect of working with the newly appointed coach Andre Coley, who previously served as the interim coach during the team’s last tour.
As the CPL 2023 draws nearer, the dynamic changes within the franchises, including Bravo’s reunion with Pollard at TKR and Thomas’ move to the Patriots, promise an enthralling season for fans and players. With star-studded line-ups and fresh strategies under new coaching regimes, these teams aim to dominate the competition and leave a lasting impact on the Caribbean cricketing landscape.
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