Antigua & Barbuda Falcons vs Barbados Royals, 3rd match, CPL 2025

The third match of CPL 2025 features Antigua & Barbuda Falcons (ABF) taking on Barbados Royals (BR) at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

The Falcons struggled in their opener against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, where their batting lineup collapsed under pressure. Despite flashes of power from Rahkeem Cornwall and Nicholas Pooran, they couldn’t put up a competitive score, leaving their bowlers little to defend. They’ll be desperate to make amends in front of their home fans.

The Royals, meanwhile, enter the competition fresh and balanced. Led by Rovman Powell, they boast firepower in Jason Roy, Kyle Mayers, and David Miller, alongside strong bowling options in Obed McCoy, Akeal Hosein, and Hayden Walsh. Their squad depth makes them one of the most dangerous teams in CPL 2025.

Venue Insight: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, with a seating capacity of ~10,000, traditionally offers a slower surface with grip for spinners. Batting tends to improve under lights, and historically chasing teams have fared slightly better here.

🔮 Winning Probability

Considering form, freshness, and conditions:

• Barbados Royals — 60%
• Antigua & Barbuda Falcons — 40%

The Royals’ depth across departments tips the balance in their favor, though the Falcons’ home advantage could keep things interesting.

📈 If Antigua & Barbuda Falcons Bat First:

• Expected Total: 150–165
• With Brandon King, Rahkeem Cornwall, and Nicholas Pooran at the top, Falcons can build momentum early. But their middle order remains vulnerable under pressure.
• Key Royals Bowlers: Obed McCoy (death-over specialist, 42 wickets in last 2 CPL seasons), Hayden Walsh (local leg-spinner, thrives in Antigua conditions).

📈 If Barbados Royals Bat First:

• Expected Total: 170–190
• Their aggressive batting unit led by Jason Roy and Kyle Mayers can capitalize in the powerplay, while David Miller provides finishing strength.
• Key Falcons Bowlers: Sheldon Cottrell (new-ball swing), Alzarri Joseph (extra pace, home advantage), Chris Green (middle-over control).

Antigua & Barbuda Falcons (ABF):
Brandon King (c), Rahkeem Cornwall, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Fabian Allen, Sherfane Rutherford, Chris Green, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph, Hayden Walsh, Joshua Bishop, Azam Khan.

Barbados Royals (BR):
Jason Roy, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell (c), David Miller, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Jason Holder, Obed McCoy, Hayden Walsh, Akeal Hosein, Dominic Drakes, Oshane Thomas.

Pitch Report – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Antigua)
Based on multiple recent sources:

• The surface is generally slow and dry, offering grip and turn for spinners in the middle overs.
• Batting becomes easier under lights with a more predictable bounce.
• Boundaries are slightly longer than other CPL venues, which keeps totals moderate.
• Statistically, teams batting second enjoy a better record at this venue, with chasing favored due to dew and improved ball carry.

Weather Outlook – North Sound (Antigua), 17 August 2025
Forecast for Sunday, 17 August indicates mostly clear skies with minimal rain threat.

• Temperature: ~29 °C (84 °F)
• Humidity: around 72%
• Light breeze at 14–18 km/h, offering some swing for pacers early on.

Implications:

• With dry conditions, spinners and cutters could play a big role, especially in the middle overs.
• Dew may give chasing teams a slight advantage, softening the surface and aiding stroke play.
• Toss likely crucial: captains may prefer bowling first to exploit early grip and chase under better conditions later in the evening.

Key Player Matchups

• Nicholas Pooran (ABF) vs Obed McCoy (BR)
  Pooran is one of CPL’s most consistent run-getters, with over 2,000 runs at a strike rate near 145. His ability to dominate spinners and seamers alike makes him Falcons’ backbone.
  McCoy, however, is a specialist at the death, with deceptive slower balls and cutters. His record of 39 wickets in the last two CPL seasons at an economy under 8 makes him a major threat to Pooran’s finishing ability.
• Jason Roy (BR) vs Sheldon Cottrell (ABF)
  Roy is a dangerous powerplay striker, known for explosive starts in T20 leagues worldwide (career SR ~142). If he gets going, Royals can set or chase any target.
  Cottrell, Antigua’s own left-arm pacer, thrives with the new ball and has 92 T20 wickets in powerplays. His angle and swing could cut Roy’s innings short early.
• Rahkeem Cornwall (ABF) vs Hayden Walsh (BR)
  Cornwall, with his brute force and CPL strike rate of 155+, can change a match within a few overs.
  Walsh, a leg-spinner who knows these Antigua conditions well, has bagged 57 CPL wickets since debut. His spin variations have often undone power hitters like Cornwall in the middle overs.

CPL Impact Players (Recent Performers)

From CPL 2024 and recent franchise leagues:

• Nicholas Pooran (ABF) – Scored 367 runs last season at a SR of 146, consistently anchoring the middle order.
• Jason Roy (BR) – Fresh CPL signing, but enters in explosive form from international T20s with multiple 50+ scores in 2024.
• Kyle Mayers (BR) – True all-round threat; 250+ runs and 9 wickets in CPL 2024, known for game-changing bursts.
• Alzarri Joseph (ABF) – Antigua’s local star pacer, took 14 wickets in CPL 2024, including multiple powerplay breakthroughs at this very venue.

Their performances highlight how a single big innings or breakthrough spell can tilt the balance in a high-stakes CPL encounter.

Based on the CPL 2025 preview, historical data, and current player form, here are top Dream11 picks categorized by role:

Captain / Vice-Captain Choices

• Nicholas Pooran (ABF) – Proven match-winner and explosive middle-order batsman; can shift games with quick runs.
• Jason Holder (BR) – Reliable all-rounder, contributes in all phases; safe fantasy captaincy choice.

Wicketkeeper Options

• Nicholas Pooran (ABF) – Offers both wicketkeeping and explosive batting; a must-have pick.
• Johnson Charles (BR) – Aggressive top-order option who can give flying starts.

Batters

• Andre Russell (ABF) – Power-hitter, capable of delivering 40+ runs off few balls plus wicket-taking overs.
• Jason Roy (BR) – Dangerous opener with ability to dominate powerplays at Warner Park.

All-Rounders

• Rahkeem Cornwall (ABF) – Impact player with power-hitting at the top and useful off-spin.
• Kyle Mayers (BR) – Flexible all-rounder; opens batting and bowls crucial overs.

Bowlers

• Alzarri Joseph (ABF) – Strike pacer, lethal with the new ball at Warner Park.
• Qais Ahmad (BR) – Mystery spinner, effective against aggressive middle-order batters.