West Indies’ Lendl Simmons will replace New Zealand opener Colin Munro for the first three matches for Trinbago Knight Riders. Munro will be in Sri Lanka for the upcoming T20Is starting September 1 and Simmons will fill in for the CPL matches on September 4, 6 and 8.
This will be Simmons’ fifth franchise in the CPL, having appeared for Guyana Amazon Warriors, St Lucia Zouks, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and Jamaica Tallawahs, and the first time for his home franchise in Trinidad.
For the Patriots, Alzarri Joseph will replace Sri Lanka quick Isuru Udana, who will be unavailable for the entire CPL due to international commitments. Joseph has represented the Patriots since 2016 and is returning to competitive cricket since the arm injury he picked up during the IPL in April.
“It is always frustrating to lose players so close to the start of a tournament but in Alzarri we have a local player who is world-class and has a track record of success,” Patriots director of cricket Robin Singh said. “As a very promising young fast bowler it is exciting to have Alzarri with us. We feel that the Patriots have a very strong squad this year and we are confident of making the knockout stages and pushing for our first title.”
August 27
The Zouks announced a number of changes to their squad with Lasith Malinga to be replaced by Krishmar Santokie for the first two games and by Colin de Grandhomme for the remainder of the tournament.
Thisara Perera will miss the first two matches, to be replaced by Afghanistan’s Najibullah Zadran whereas Niroshan Dickwella will miss the entire tournament to be replaced by Cameron Delport for the first two games and by Hardus Viljoen for the remaining matches.
South Africa’s Beuran Hendricks is also no longer available due to international commitments and his place will be taken by Dominican allrounder Kavem Hodge.
August 20
For Tallawahs, Jamaica batsman Kennar Lewis will replace USA’s Xavier Marshall who will be unavailable until September 14, also due to international commitments. Marshall was drafted as Tallawahs’ ICC Americas player but draft rules allow for him to be replaced by a Caribbean or an overseas player.
Lewis will join Chris Gayle and Andre Russell at Tallawahs who will play their first game on September 6 against Knight Riders.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo