CPL Playoffs: Trinbago live to fight another day; Guyana storm into final
Trinbago Knight Riders defeated Saint Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the eliminator of CPL 2019 to keep their challenge alive in the tournament. Later in the evening, Guyana Amazon Warriors stretched their winning streak in the season to 11 by beating Barbados Tridents. Both the matches were played yesterday (6th Oct IST) at the same venue, Providence Stadium, Guyana.
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Narine spins magic despite injury
Patriots were off to a slow start in the eliminator as the defending champions kept them in a tight grip. Sunil Narine, returning from an injury which had not healed completely, began promisingly as well. Only runs conceded by the mystery spinner in his first two overs were two wides. Laurie Evans was the only shining spot for Patriots in the batting department. His 55 off 47 balls with 8 boundaries helped the side post 125/7 in 20 overs. Narine finished with the spectacular figures of 10/2 in four overs. Chris Jordan also took three wickets.
Trinbago come alive at the death
Trinbago Knight Riders were expected to overhaul such target with ease but the Patriots had other thoughts. Taking three wickets in the powerplay, they kept TKR under control. Lendl Simmons and Dinesh Ramdin took their own time with required run rate climbing higher. The desperate push came when the side needed 55 from the last 5 overs. Simmons slammed a six and got out for 51 (45). New batsman Kieron Pollard and Ramdin scored 18 off Sheldon Cottrell’s over to race ahead. Pollard later smacked 16 runs in three balls to finish the chase with eight balls remaining. TKR advanced to the second qualifier while SKNP were knocked out in the process.
Breadon King rules the night
After a low-scoring eliminator, Guyana Amazon Warriors were on a similar track with 8 runs in their first two overs. Brandon King broke the shackles with three fours and a six off Jason Holder’s over. Guyana went back to the regular pace and at 120/2 in 15 overs, 170-180 was in sight. Shoaib Malik and King attacked Shakib Al Hasan and ransacked 29 runs from his over. Later, Nicholas Pooran smashed consecutive sixes on arrival. King finished with 132 runs off 72 balls to become the highest individual scorer in CPL history. The Amazon Warriors ended with 218 runs on the board.
Warriors surge to number 11
Barbados Tridents needed a good start if they were to chase down such a tall total. Alex Hales and Johnson Charles began well but Tahir sent back Charles in the 5th over. Hales continued the attack and fell for 36 from 19 balls as Tahir claimed his second. Jonathan Carter 49 (26 balls) and Jason Holder 29 (15 balls) tried their best but the side eventually fell short by 30 runs. Guyana Amazon Warriors registered their 11th victory in succession.
