Caribbean Premier League (CPL), franchise Jamaica Tallawahs chief coach Paul Nixon dictated they are looking forward to defending the title as a competitive unit while hinging on the fresh set of the cricketers owing to the depth, in the squad after losing swashbuckling opener Chris Gayle and all-rounder Andre Russell.
“We’ve got a different brand of cricket now. We had a lot more hitters then, now we have to be a lot smarter,” Nixon told ESPNcricinfo.
However, the fresh edition of Caribbean Premier League started off at Gros Islet in St Lucia, as the inaugural match was comfortably won by Dwayne Bravo’s Trinbago Knight Riders by nine wickets against Darren Sammy-led St Lucia Stars.
“We knew that we’d organised to go through [the playoffs], so we probably took our foot off the gas a little bit, great lessons for us all,” Nixon added.
The Carlisle-born Nixon believes the bunch is capable of saving many important runs for the team which could further put any side under pressure while adding the management would be aiming to make full use of explosive batsmen in the side.
“We’re an exciting fielding unit and now we’ve got to be a little bit smarter without the big hitters,” Nixon asserted.
The former England wicketkeeper batsman is confident of his side to clinch the back-to-back titles owing to the energy and enthusiasm, before their start of the Twenty20 domestic campaign in Florida.
“We’ve got Lendl Simmons, who had an outstanding IPL [Indian Premier League] and for us to have his quality and his experience, I think he’s going to be one of the men of the tournament,” Nixon maintained.
(Read Also: CPL Match 1: St Lucia Stars v Trinbago Knight Riders: Trinbago Begin on a Resounding Note)
Moreover, Nixon in the scheme of the things has praised all-rounder Imad Wasim owing to a lot of experience since past one year, before stating the opportunities would be equally waiting for bowling all-rounders like Timroy Allen and Rovman Powell.
“We’ve got some other good young guys in the side as well. For us, Andre Russell is a frustrating one. But we’ve got world-class players coming in,” Nixon said.
However, Nixon was impressed with the rookie Odean Smith, as he believes the 20-year-old could hit the ball long way while stating the Jamaican-born is a live wire on the field and could crank up the pace to 90 mph to pay a dividend during the ongoing season.
“We’ve got Odean Smith, who is a really attacking batsman, bowls the very high 80s, pushing 90 mph and is a really attacking fielder,” Nixon concluded.
Before the abrupt end to his international career, Nixon featured in 19 One-day Internationals and in a solitary Twenty20 for England after making his debut in 2007 against Australia in Sydney.