CPL 23: Simmons banks on vets as TKR reveal retentions; Caribbean players confirmed

Trinbago Knight Riders head coach Phil Simmons is banking on his veterans to come good, as they prepare for the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season with few changes to their roster of regional players.

TKR finished bottom of the CPL standings in 2022, with just three wins from 10 matches—although it was largely the same players who helped the franchise lift the regional T20 crown in 2020.

Photo: TKR batsman Kieron Pollard hits for six during CPL action against Barbados Tridents at the Queen’s Park Oval on 29 August 2020.
(Copyright Randy Brooks/ CPL T20 via Getty Images)

Jamaica Tallawahs are the defending CPL champions, while St Kitts and Nevis Patriots won the regional title in 2021.

Thus far, the Trinidad-based team recruited 39-year-old former captain Dwayne Bravo while 31-year-old spinner Khary Pierre departed for the St Lucia Kings—after a trade for 30-year-old allrounder Mark Dayal.


Beyond their regional mainstays, TKR will look to their international roster for additional impetus.

“We are very happy to be able to retain most of the Caribbean players from last year’s TKR squad,” Simmons told the CPL Media. “The experience of Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Nicholas Pooran coupled with Dwayne Bravo’s return gives our squad a very strong core.

“In youngsters like Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, and Mark Deyal, we have some of the best young talent from Trinidad representing TKR.

TKR spinner Akeal Hosein, 30, celebrates a wicket during the 2021 CPL season.

“We’re looking forward to the remaining international signings, and I am excited by the player draft coming up soon to complete the roster and put together a strong squad for CPL 2023.”

The 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament gets underway on 16 August while the final takes place on 24 September.

The overseas players and draft picks will be announced during the Republic Bank CPL draft show which will be broadcast at the end of June.

The players announced by the various franchises so far are as follows:

Jamaican Tallawahs players celebrate a wicket during CPL action against the Saint Lucia Kings at Warner Park Sporting Complex on 9 September 2021 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Copyright Randy Brooks – CPL T20/ Getty Images)

(Trinbago Knight Riders)


Retained: Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales.

Acquired: Dwayne Bravo, Mark Dayal.

(Barbados Royals)

Retained: Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Rahkeem Cornwall, Justin Greaves, Joshua Bishop, Nyeem Young, Ramon Simmonds.

Acquired: Rovman Powell.

Barbados Royals batsman Kyle Mayers hits for 6 during CPL action against the Saint Lucia Kings at Warner Park Sporting Complex on 12 September 2021 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
(Photo by Randy Brooks – CPL T20/ Getty Images)

(Jamaica Tallawahs)

Retained: Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Shamarh Brooks, Raymon Reifer, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Springer, Nicholson Gordon, Kirk McKenzie, Joshua James.

Acquired: Hayden Walsh Jr.

(St Kitts and Nevis Patriots)

Retained: Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher, Sherfane Rutherford, Dominic Drakes, Sheldon Cottrell, Joshua Da Silva.

Acquired: Oshane Thomas.

Guyana Amazon Warriors batsman Shimron Hetmyer plays an attacking shot during CPL T20 action against SKNP at Warner Park on 29 August 2021.
(Copyright CPL T20 Ltd 2021)

(Guyana Amazon Warriors)

Retained: Shimron Hetmyer, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Gudakesh Motie, Matthew Nandu, Junior Sinclair.

(St Lucia Kings)

Retained: Johnson Charles, Alzarri Joseph, Roston Chase, Roshon Primus, Jeavor Royal, Matthew Forde, McKenny Clarke.
Acquired: Khary Pierre.

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