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The CPL 2024 first week had left the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots severely shorthanded, but now they have Wanindu Hasaranga* back and big-hitting all-rounder Josh Clarkson from New Zealand signed on. Just last month, a hamstring ailment had forced Hasaranga out of the competition; at the time, Tabraiz Shamsi took his place; nevertheless, he now takes Sikandar Raza’s spot. Conversely, Tristan Stubbs will be replaced by Clarkson, who will return to South Africa for official activities.
Additionally, Shamsi is returning home for a week of CSA responsibilities; he will be temporarily replaced by Mohammad Mohsin, a USA wristspinner who was born in Pakistan. Mohsin, 28, has made 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.43 in 14 MLC games for Stephen Fleming’s Texas Super Kings.
Clarkson can bowl quickly and is perhaps one of New Zealand’s hardest hitters of the cricket ball. Although Clarkson was given his first central contract on Tuesday, he is not yet included in the Test plans, thus he has committed to play in his first franchise T20 league. In his 89 T20 matches thus far, Clarkson has amassed 1673 runs at a strike average of 147.40 and claimed 11 wickets at an economy rate of 9.15.
Patriots head coach Malolan Rangarajan, the former Tamil Nadu allrounder who also works with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, rued the injuries, which have disrupted the balance of their side. “Obviously, we started off the tournament with an unfortunate injury to Sikandar Raza, who was a well-thought out and important pick for us,” Malolan said on Tuesday before Patriots had announced Clarkson as their new signing.
“We’ve scrambled and we’ve tried to sign a replacement and 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. But I think the boys have responded brilliantly to all the challenges that’ve been posed at them.”