St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Bolster Squad with Josh Clarkson
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, plagued by injuries in the early stages of CPL 2024, have bolstered their squad with the acquisition of New Zealand’s Josh Clarkson. The 27-year-old, renowned for his explosive batting and brisk bowling, has been awarded his first New Zealand central contract but is not yet in the Test scheme of things.
Clarkson’s addition to the Patriots is expected to fill the void left by Zimbabwean allrounder Sikandar Raza, who withdrew from the tournament due to injury. The Patriots have also added Mohammad Mohsin, a Pakistan-born USA wristspinner, to their roster.
Patriots head coach Malolan Rangarajan expressed his disappointment over the injuries that have disrupted the team’s balance. “We’ve had a few hiccups at the start of [the season], with Sherfane [Rutherford] missing out the first game and Rilee [Rossouw] getting injured in the first innings of our fielding,” Rangarajan said.
Despite the setbacks, the Patriots began the season with a thrilling last-ball win against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. However, they suffered back-to-back defeats at home against Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Kings, despite posting 200-plus totals in both innings. Their bowlers have come under fire for conceding heavy runs, while their fielding has also been criticized.
Patriots captain Andre Fletcher has called for a stronger response from his team. “We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit, but it just boils down to execution,” Fletcher said. “We haven’t been executing as well as we ought to, but I’m confident.”
Fletcher emphasized the importance of team unity and blocking out external noise. “As a leader, I try to be not under pressure,” Fletcher said. “I wouldn’t doubt myself; I’ve done it before and it’s just a matter of getting the guys together.”
The Patriots will look to turn their fortunes around in their upcoming matches, with Clarkson’s arrival expected to provide a much-needed boost.