JAMAICA Tallawahs pace bowler Nicholson Gordon says team confidence and proper execution of plans will have to be front and centre if they are to repeat as Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 (T20) cricket champions.
On Tuesday Gordon was confirmed among a number of regional players retained by the franchise for the 2023 CPL which is set to run from August 16 to September 24.
"It's good to know that a few of my regional teammates from last season were retained but we still have to regroup and do what we have to do to retain the title," the 31-year-old told the Jamaica Observer.
"We have to pay attention to details and then execute to the best of our abilities. We have to believe we can do it again and just go out there and play some good cricket — and whatever it takes I know the guys will be ready to go and give 100 per cent," the Jamaican added.
Gordon was a revelation for the Tallawahs during the 2022 campaign which saw him debuting in the CPL. He had figures of 3-33 in the final to end with nine wickets in the tournament.
He is expecting the bullseye to be placed on him this season.
"Last season I made my debut for Jamaica Tallawahs and I did well in terms of picking up wickets at crucial times, and I don't think that will be changing.
"But I know the batters will be coming at me because they know of me and are going to do their research. I will also have to do my research and try to execute more with yorkers and other variations and try to mix it, and try to keep on assessing and working out batsmen," Gordon noted.
The other Caribbean players retained by the Tallawahs are Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Shamarh Brooks, Raymon Reifer, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Springer, Kirk McKenzie and Joshua James.
Only weeks ago, captain and instrumental batsman Rovman Powell had confirmed his transfer from the Tallawahs to last season's losing finalists Barbados Royals, with spinner Hayden Walsh moving in the opposite direction.
Krishna Persaud, the Jamaica Tallawahs owner, indicated that the franchise is committed to putting together another title-winning unit.
"We are delighted to be the defending champions, but that was last year. Now we will focus on this year's team as we look forward to another great tournament," he said in a CPL media release.
CPL organisers say overseas players and draft picks for all six franchises will be announced at the end of June.
This season, CPL matches are scheduled to be staged in Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago, with the Tallawahs set to be the only franchise without a home leg.
The Tallawahs have not hosted a CPL match since 2019.
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