Preview, GAW vs CS | Warriors and Stags seek to open account after poor start to GSL 2025 campaign

With a chance to leave a global footprint in the second edition of this unique invitational tournament, both Guyana Amazon Warriors and Central Stags faltered in their first outing of the 2025 edition. The bowling proved to be a strength for both sides on Guyana's tricky decks, and the feeling is whichever batting unit manages to fire on Saturday will walk away with the honours.

The Warriors, boasting the luxury of playing at home, succumbed to the heroics of Khaled Ahmed who picked up four wickets for the Rangpur Riders to defend their total of 162/5 by eight runs. In Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sherfane Rutherford, the side is packed with established international names yet none managed to deliver a standout performance when the situation came calling.

The Stags, on the other hand, are more reliant on local talent with a completely Kiwi top-six, given the Super Smash is yet to open its arms to foreign private ownership and a franchise model. Chasing Rangpur Riders' 165/7, skipper Tom Bruce was the only batter to score over 20 -- albeit the 34-run knock painfully came in 39 deliveries -- as the side fell well-short by 22 runs. At least they had Angus Schaw's three scalps with his off-break bowling to take away as a a positive, as well as a promising showing from quick Blair Tickner who ended with 2/27.     

Form Guide

Guyana Amazon Warriors enjoyed a successful Caribbean Premier League campaign in 2024 where they made it all the way to the final before succumbing to St. Lucia Kings. They backed up the performance with a decent showing in the Global Super League that followed quickly after, grinding an even two-two record to finish third. However, the latest season has begun on a sour note as the Warriors went down fighting by eight runs against the Rangpur Riders in the opener.

Central Stags, meanwhile, are the reigning Super Smash champions, having claimed their fourth T20 title earlier in the year. The side returned to glory after six years by cruising through the league stage to gain direct qualification to the final, winning six of their eight completed encounters, before dismantling Canterbury Kings in their summit clash by six wickets. However, much like Guyana, the Stags fell to defeat in their GSL 2025 opener against holders Rangpur Riders after failing to chase down 166. 

GAW: L L W L W

CS: L W W NR A

GAW vs CS Head-to-Head in T20s

Guyana Amazon Warriors play in the Caribbean Premier League and the Central Stags form part of the Super Smash in New Zealand, meaning both teams have never faced each other as the Kiwi outfit were not a part of the inaugural edition of the Global Super League.

GAW 0-0  CS

Pitch and Weather

Guyana produces perhaps the slowest decks aross the many international stadiums in the Caribbean islands, with low bounce and difficult strokeplay a hallmark at the venue. Both games at the Providence Stadium in the Global Super League so far have ended in favour of the team setting the target, with the deck's wear and tear making it more difficult for the chasing side to score their runs. Expect no different come Saturday with both Imran Tahir and Tom Bruce likely to opt to set a target if they win the toss.

As for the weather, expect overcast skies to dominate the encounter although no rain is forecast despite spells of precipitation in the morning and afternoon. Humidity levels could soar up to 90% with the temperature slated to hover around 26-27 degrees Centigrade.

Team News

The Global Super League in its current state is just a nine-day affair squeezed in the middle of a busy cricketing calendar, thus forcing teams to send just 13-man contingents for the event. That leaves little scope for either outfit to ring in the changes and both the Warriors and Stags are likely to stick with the eleven from their respective tournament openers despite suffering defeats.

GAW Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Dwaine Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, David Wiese, Shamar Sprinter, Imran Tahir (c)

CS Probable XI: Will Young, Dane Cleaver (wk), Dean Foxcroft, Tom Bruce (c), Josh Clarkson, William Clark, Doug Bracewell, Matthew Forde, Angus Schaw, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner

Broadcasting Platforms

The Global Super League's second edition is being digitally streamed on Fancode and will be available for live telecast on the Sony Sports Network.