Amazon Warriors retain 11 for CPL 2021

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Discarded West Indies white ball opener Brandon King is one of 11 players retained by Guyana Amazon Warriors for their upcoming Caribbean Premier League.

The right-handed King has been joined by the likes of left-handers Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran, with West Indies’ latest white-ball recruit, off-spinner Kevin Sinclair, also announced on the list of retained players.

Jamaican King endured a poor last campaign, averaging 11 from as many innings, but franchise management said it had been important to keep the core of the squad together in a bid to win this year’s title.

“The management of the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise are very pleased to retain the core group of players which comprised our squad over the last two years,” a statement said.

“The franchise is very appreciative of the retained players for their loyalty and commitment to the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

“It is the hope of the franchise that with the majority of players being together over the last two tournaments, the team unity, camaraderie and support for one another in working towards a common goal and purpose will bring the desired result of winning the tournament this year.”

King made his West Indies debut two years ago but was dropped after failing to get a fifty in 15 matches across both formats. Hetmyer, meanwhile, was Amazon Warriors’ leading scorer last year with 267 runs while Pooran gathered 245, but they were the only two players to pass 200 runs. South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir has also been retained after claiming 15 wickets last term while 21-year-old Afghan seamer Naveen-ul-Haq will wear the Amazon Warriors colours again after picking up 11 wickets last season.

West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul, who has battled fitness of late, has not been retained and neither has fellow Guyanese all-rounder, Sherfane Rutherford.

Romario Shepherd, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith, Anthony Bramble and Ashmead Nedd are the other players retained, with the franchise noting that the remainder of the squad would be determined soon.

“The Amazon Warriors have six spots left to fill in their squad and these will be announced in the coming weeks.”

Amazon Warriors bowed out at the semi-final stage last year, inflicted with a 10-wicket thrashing by eventual losing finalists, St Lucia Zouks, after being dismissed for 55.

They have made it to the final five of the eight editions of the popular Twenty20 tournament but are yet to win a title.

The CPL is set to be played in St Kitts and Nevis starting in August. (CMC)