Trinbago Knight Riders are all set to square off against Barbados Royals in match 16 of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2022.
The Royals lead the table after winning five of their first five games. With just one victory in their last four games, Knight Riders are mired near the bottom. As CPL 2022 draws to the playoffs, TKR needs to step up their game.
Knight Riders have lost the plot and are not looking like a team to have won two titles. Skipper Pollard has not fired with the bat in hand and so has Nicholas Pooran.
Knight Riders need their big players to step if they harbor hopes of playoffs.
Speaking to the media (newsday) at the airport, Russell said,
“Not the start that we wanted. We all know what we can do…it is actually good to get a taste of losing and getting that experience, getting that feeling in a changing room with so (many) star players.
“Everyone is hungry right now. We are home. The amazing welcome that we are getting right now that is just going to set the pace for (Tuesday)…we just have to make sure we make the cricket ball and the cricket bat talk (on Tuesday).”
“Actually I am getting the chills already. Being in the colour red (and) not yellow is going to be something special. Maybe walking out on the field to go and bat, I know I am going to get a warm welcome. The last time I played here I scored 121 (not out) and (took) a hat-trick in a game as well. I thought it was just something special. If I do that in this colour, these people will definitely maybe buy me dinner for the next year.”
Russell, who is also Narine’s teammate with Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders, believes Narine can produce the goods.
“I have no doubt in Sunil. He is just trying to give the team the best start possible and with batting, the new ball – we all know the new ball swings at times, and he is a guy with a clear head. He knows what he can do, and he knows what you want to do, and he was trying to do that over the past few games, and it just did not come off. Being home in his conditions, I think he will definitely give us the start that we need.”
Also, Dre Russell said that he is currently focused on representing the Trinbago Knight Riders in the 2022 CPL and isn’t thinking about recalling to the West Indies squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup.
“Actually I have nothing to say about that,” said the 34-year-old. “I am focusing on CPL at the moment. This is where it is for me at the moment. I am taking it one day at a time, one game at a time. Whatever is to happen will happen. I have no control over what’s going on at the (CWI) or what is going on in (the) selectors’ minds…whatever happens in the next week or two only God knows, so I am not even going to stress on that.”
Russell said there has been no discussion between head Coach Simmons and himself.
“No one has reached out to me, no one has said anything…once I do the performance on the field then I leave everything else in their hands. I am just making sure that my performances are good here.”