Kyle Mayers Keeps Lucknow Thinking Over Their Opening Combination

Kyle Mayers, the only batter to make cross fifty in his first two IPL games has left Lucknow with a lot to think about. His dream of playing the IPL has come true, after an year of warming the bench as Quinton De Kock dominated the opening spot. He came into cricketing World with a bang, making a double hundred in a run-chase on debut, in a format alien to the IPL, as Kyle Mayers helped chase down 395 on a wearing Bangladesh track. The knock pushed him to fame as Mayers enjoyed some strong CPL seasons as well.

In the last year though, Mayers has continued to rise with his valuable skillset of being able to bat aggressively, and also bowl some handy medium pace, while generating decent movement with the new ball. Although he was with the Lucknow Super Giants last season, it was his six against Australia which pushed him into the eleven. His outrageous cover drive which went 105 meters over the ropes was well noticed and increased the limelight on him.

This season too, Kyle Mayers could have started on the bench had it not been for South Africa’s withdrawal from an ODI series against Australia earlier this year. With South Africa forfeiting the series, their hopes for the ODI Super League took a dent, as their two ODIs against Netherlands turned out to be must-win fixtures.

With both games must-win, South Africa ensured that they had their full side against Netherlands, which allowed Kyle Mayers to have a go in the eleven. With only two games to prove himself, Kyle Mayers took his chance handsomely. He was explosive against the Capitals, on a two paced track, and then made a rampaging 50 as he tried to scale a chase of 200+ on his own.

With two fifties, Lucknow found a batter with all the intent needed. They also found a player who could provide a solid over or two with the new-ball, and also find swing. Quinton De Kock though remains a player who is undroppable. He provides a keeping option and is also an aggressive opener up front. The other opener, KL Rahul, is one of the most consistent batters in the side and is also their captain. Down the order, the other two overseas slots he could compete with are Nicholas Pooran’s and Marcus Stoinis.

Mark Wood is the fourth overseas slot, but with his pace and the X-factor he provides with the ball, dropping him would be a bad option, unless he is rested. In between Pooran and Stoinis, Pooran has done a decent job with the bat, playing an aggressive hand against the Super Kings. Stoinis though has not bowled yet and did not look to convincing down the order too.

Kyle Mayers on the other hand has been pretty deceptive with the ball, and given his record, he does look to be a bowler with a lot of potential. With all his skillsets, Mayers has proven to be an undebatable opening option both for West Indies and in the Carribean Premier League. In all likelihood though, even if Mayers finds a spot in the eleven, there is a chance of him dropping down the order with De Kock and Rahul fixed at the top.

There is a chance though of Rahul or De Kock dropping down. Both are decent at rotating strike, and are really good players of spin, an aspect where Mayers may fall behind. In the CPL and SA20 as well, when Kyle Mayers and Quinton De Kock played together, Quinton De Kock dropped down the order, and was just as effective. Regardless, the Mayers show has begun, and he could prove to be the new Caribbean sensation with his ability.