Rovman Powell's Barbados Royals, one of the two unbeaten teams in CPL 2024 alongside defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors, will be at full strength as they begin their home matches in Bridgetown on September 11 against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.
The Royals have been boosted by the arrival of David Miller and Keshav Maharaj from South Africa, while Alick Athanaze has recovered from a finger injury that sidelined him during their match against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Maharaj, who will remain available for the rest of the season along with Miller, returns after being rested for South Africa's upcoming white-ball tour of the UAE. Dunith Wellalage, the Sri Lankan allrounder who had been brought in as a temporary replacement, has since returned home. However, Shamarh Brooks, originally drafted in to cover for Miller, will stay on as additional squad cover.
Head coach Trevor Penney expressed excitement over having a full squad of five overseas players. On the eve of their first home game, he hinted at a strong lineup, with Athanaze fit for selection. Penney highlighted the competition for spots, praising the youngsters who have performed well in previous games.
Athanaze, according to Penney, is a promising young batsman for the West Indies, and his inclusion in the playing XI will be a topic for debate during the team's selection meeting.
So far, the Royals have secured victories in two contrasting conditions. Their first win came easily on a North Sound pitch that improved for batting, while their second was a hard-fought win on a challenging Basseterre surface, achieved with just one ball to spare. Despite some rain in Bridgetown before their home games, Powell assured that the team’s preparations have not been affected.
Powell noted the good condition of the practice wickets in Barbados and explained that the team had already held a camp there before the CPL started. He also expressed optimism about the experience their overseas players bring, including Miller and Maharaj, who have played in previous editions of the Royals setup, with Maharaj having IPL experience and Miller playing a key role in the Royals’ 2022 CPL final run.
Powell highlighted that training sessions have been focused on fine-tuning rather than extensive practice. Maharaj will take on the role previously held by Wellalage, working alongside mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who currently boasts the best economy rate in the tournament at 4.62. With pitches expected to slow down as the tournament progresses, Powell spoke about the importance of their spin attack, including Naveen-ul-Haq and allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall.
After their win against the Patriots, Powell remarked, “Bowlers win tournaments, batters win games.” He highlighted the importance of having a strong spin department, particularly in the Caribbean, where quality spinners can be difficult to face, while also praising the team’s fast bowlers for supporting the spinners effectively.