The St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots (SNP) have made some significant changes to their squad for the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) due to unfortunate injuries to two of their key players. Sri Lankan stars Wanindu Hasaranga and Nuwan Thushara will miss the tournament after sustaining injuries during the recent series against India. In their place, the Patriots have called upon the formidable South African duo of Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi.
Thushara’s absence comes after he missed the entire white-ball tour against India due to a finger injury. Meanwhile, Hasaranga, who participated in the T20I series and the first ODI, was sidelined for the remainder of the series with a hamstring injury.
Anrich Nortje, fresh off an outstanding 2024 T20 World Cup where he played a pivotal role in helping South Africa reach their first-ever final, will be making his CPL debut with this stint. His fiery pace and recent form are expected to add significant strength to the Patriots’ bowling attack.
On the other hand, Tabraiz Shamsi is no stranger to the CPL. Having been a mainstay in the tournament, Shamsi has already played 32 matches, with 27 of those for SNP. His record of 33 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.06 makes him one of the most effective spinners in the league, and his return to the Patriots’ squad is likely to be a major boost.
SNP will be eager to turn around their fortunes after a disappointing 2023 CPL season, where they finished at the bottom of the points table with just one win from eight matches. Since winning their first CPL title in 2021, the team has struggled, finishing second-to-last in 2022 and last in 2023.
The defending champions, Guyana Amazon Warriors, will enter this year’s tournament with confidence after clinching their first title by defeating the four-time champions, Trinbago Knight Riders, in last year’s final.
The 2024 CPL season kicks off with a fresh twist, as the newly formed Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (replacing the Jamaica Tallawahs) will take on the SNP on August 29. The six-team competition will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing the others twice. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, culminating in the grand finale at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on October 6.
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots squad for CPL 2024: Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rilee Rossouw, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, Sikandar Raza, Anrich Nortje, Andre Fletcher, Tristan Stubbs, Dominic Drakes, Mikyle Louis, Odean Smith, Joshua da Silva, Veerasammy Permaul, Ryan John, Ashmead Nedd, Johann Layne.
