JT vs GAW 3rd Match Prediction

JT vs GAW Team Previews

Jamaica Tallawahs

The Tallawahs remain in pursuit of a successful title defence despite a shaky end to their group stage campaign. They lost five of their last six group matches before beating St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to reach the play-off stage of the tournament from fourth position, ahead of fifth-placed Barbados.

Jamaica have since beaten and later eliminated St Lucia, too, to put their push for a successive title back on track. They were without captain Brandon King for a brief stint, but he returned for the second St Lucia clash and should be available for this one. King was the leading run-scorer in the 2022 CPL overall and started this season well, but has since slipped off the pace.

He is a vital cog at the top of the Tallawahs order and will likely open the batting with England recruit Alex Hales again. Hales is the recent recipient of a CPL century and can capitalise on the momentum collected from that 119 not out against the Kings with another big knock against Guyana. 

The Tallawahs have arguably had the most formidable bowling unit this CPL season. They currently have three of the top five wicket-takers in the 2023 CPL. Seamer Mohammad Amir, alongside spinners Imad Wasim and Chris Green, have shared 44 wickets. Wasim is also this CPL season's sixth-highest run-scorer - and statistically the best all-rounder in the tournament.

Guyana Amazon Warriors

The pressure could be tolling on Guyana. They were the only unbeaten team in the 2023 CPL before losing a fixture toward the end of the group stage. They have since been beaten by Trinbago, too. Opportunity knocked to advance directly to the final after ending the group stage at the top of the points table, but now they're fighting to remain in contention for a maiden CPL title - again.

This is a franchise, remember, that has reached five CPL finals, yet are still without a title. That absence of a trophy might be hanging over their heads more than ever. They have a new captain in place, South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir, to potentially inspire their future instead of being beholden to the past.

Importantly, the additional responsibility of the captaincy has not negatively affected Tahir's primary role with the ball. He is Guyana's second-highest wicket-taker this CPL season with 13 in 11 matches. Only fellow South African Dwaine Pretorius has more for Guyana with 14 in 11.

Batting-wise, the Amazon Warriors have the top two run-scorers overall during this year's tournament. Wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope has 409 runs in 11 innings to opener Saim Ayub's 406 in 11. They have shared seven half-centuries, while Hope has graduated to a century as well.