KINGSTON, Jamaica — Defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs have been sent in to bat by St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, after Chris Gayle won the toss and opted to field in the 26th match of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 home games here at Sabina Park.

It is an important fixture for the Tallawahs, who are positioned third on the points table on 10 points and victory tonight would see them securing a spot in the playoffs.

The Gayle-led Patriots are in second on 11 points and have already secured a spot in the playoffs, but will be seeking to add impetus to their current form heading into the latter stages of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Tallawahs have made two changes to their line up, bringing in Pakistani pace Mohammed Sami as well as young local talent Oshane Thomas for spinner Garey Mathurin and medium pacer Odean Smith.

The Patriots have replaced Jamaican Brandon King with left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell, while Mohammed Hafeez will take the place of Shamarh Brooks.

Jamaica Tallawahs Starting XI -Lendl Simmons, Kumar Sangakkara (Capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Glenn Philips, Mohammad Sami, Rovman Powell, Kesrick Williams, Oshane Thomas, Krishmar Santokie, Jonathon Foo, Andre McCarthy

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots XI: Chris Gayle (Capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Samuel Badree, Devon Thomas, Mohammad Nabi, Carlos Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Evin Lewis, Sheldon Cottrell, Ben Hilfenhaus, Tabraiz Shamsi

Sherdon Cowan