Barbados Tridents 2026 CPL Preview

By Machel St Patrick Hewitt

2025 Review

• Position: Last (did not qualify for playoffs)

• Top Run-Scorer: Brandon King (262 runs)

• Top Wicket-Taker: Daniel Sams (14 wickets)

Barbados had a tough time in CPL 2025, winning only two games on their way to finishing bottom of the table. It was the fourth time in the last six CPL editions that they failed to reach the post-season.

With a rebrand back to the Barbados Tridents moniker and a new partnership with the Barbados Government, the Royals Group will be hoping for a significant turnaround in CPL 2026.

Barbados Tridents 2026 CPL Preview: Fantasy Cricket Banker, Wildcard & Young Gun

The Tridents have selected a very young and vibrant local player cohort. Of the 12 local players, seven are Barbadian—albeit without the established name brand value seen on rival rosters. It remains to be seen whether building an inexperienced but talented Bajan core unearths some high-value gems, or if the Tridents will come to rue a lack of proven depth.

Banker: Gudakesh Motie

Having lost the explosive Rovman Powell to the returning Jamaica franchise, looking to Gudakesh Motie as the primary X-Factor in the Tridents' lineup is a no-brainer.

Motie has finished among the top three wicket-takers in each of the last two editions, and as his West Indies exploits have proven, he is increasingly a handy contributor with the bat. A paltry economy rate of 7.2 in both 2024 and 2025 demonstrates his remarkable consistency.

Wildcard: Kofi James

The enigma that is Kofi James feels like a player waiting to ignite on the biggest stage despite his obvious all-round talent. He was the highest run-scorer and biggest six-hitter in the 2025 Breakout League, yet played only two games for the Tridents in 2025.

Despite that, the Tridents retained him using one of their Right-to-Match options, signaling clear faith in the 28-year-old Antiguan. Best suited for the top of the order while offering an off-spin option, could this be the year he is handed the keys to Bridgetown? The lack of available overseas batting options certainly suggests so.

Young Gun: Zishan Motara

Zishan Motara may well be looking at the rise of Vitel Lawes and wondering where his own praise is. The gifted Barbadian leg-spinner recently returned from a fruitful West Indies Academy tour of Sri Lanka and has already earned recognition at the West Indies A level.

Still only 20 years old, his opportunities may initially be constrained given the competition from Motie and overseas spin options. However, should the Tridents require additional leg-spin variety, the young man will be ready to seize his moment.

Barbados Tridents CPL Squad 2026

Potential Starting XI:

Barbados Tridents CPL Potential XI for GW 1

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