Dominican cricketer, Alick Athanaze, will be playing with the Barbados Royals as they take on the St Lucia Kings tonight in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The league bowled off on Wednesday evening at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia.
Although there were reports of an injury to his finger, Athanaze’s name was on the final squad posted on the Barbados Royals’ website on Thursday, August 17. The match between the Barbados Royals and the St Lucia Kings will be the second in the CPL. The first took place on Wednesday evening between the St Lucia Kings and the Jamaica Tallawahs.
The Tallawahs won by 11 runs.
On its website, the St Lucia Royals said they are expecting a win on Thursday evening.
“Impeccable pace from the likes of (Obed) McCoy, Akeem Jordan, and Rovman Powell that are poised to unsettle St Lucia Kings’ batting, a batting unit headlined by Kyle Mayers and newcomer Alick Athanaze serenading the hosts’ home with showers of runs and lastly, a WIN,” the website reads.
Athanaze made an impressive debut in the Test against India in Dominica which began on Wednesday, July 12, scoring 47 runs off 99 balls, which included one six and six fours.
He was eventually bowled out by Shardul Thakur at mid-on and although the West Indies suffered a humiliating defeat at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Roseau, Athanaze was praised by commentators and observers alike for his calmness and focus during his time at the crease.
He also played remarkably well in the second Test in Trinidad where he was again praised for showing grit especially when facing the likes of veteran and world-class Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin, which Athanaze admitted was very challenging.
Barbados Royals full squad: Rovman Powell (captain), Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Maheesh Theekshana (to be replaced by Qais Ahmad during Asia Cup), Laurie Evans, Alick Athanaze, Obed McCoy, Kevin Wickham, Roelof van der Merwe, Akeem Jordan, Rahkeem Cornwall, Donovan Ferreira, Justin Greaves, Joshua Bishop, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Ramon Simmonds.
The game between St Lucia Kings and Barbados Royals bowls off at 7:00 pm local time.
Good luck to Athanaze in the CPL ,young man go and get lots of run . And the reporter who wrote the article know the west indies player roll before writing. Rovman Powell is not a fast bowler .