Published: Aug 01, 2016, 02:21 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 01, 2016, 02:21 AM (IST)
Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) skipper Dwayne Bravo’s 4-for guided his side to comfortable eight wickets win against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (SKNP) on Sunday in Florida. It was not Bravo but an impressive bowling attack from Sunil Narine to restrict SKNP to sub-par total of 137 for 6 in 20 overs. TKR also put up an outstanding effort with their batting from Brendon McCullum and Denesh Ramdin who put up 74-run stand for 3rd wicket after early wicket of Hashim Amla. This means defending champions TKR will now play against St Lucia Zouks in playoffs. This was the only SKNP could have left with morale-boosting confidence, but the poor performance left them no scope. ALSO READ: Umar Akmal’s unbeaten 73 guides Trinbago Knight Riders to 3-wicket win
Within first three overs of the SKNP innings, Bravo came into strike and got his first man in the form of Evin Lewis. Soon it was turn of skipper Faf du Plessis, who was sent back for golden duck. Kieran Powell, who until then had looked largely untroubled, fell in Anton Devcich’s next over for a 17-ball 23, effectively reducing the Patriots to 25 for 3. Powell, who had provided an heads-up in the initial innings with his two boundaries and a six, also found his way back after skipper was yorked out. Forced into a period of rebuilding, Lendl Simmons and Jonathan Carter could add only 21 in the next five overs. The wickets kept tumbling soon and finally Lendl Simmons was the only player, who stood out for his unbeaten innings of 60. Narine was the most economical bowler from TKR with his figures of 1 for 9 at the end of his spells.
The chase got better despite early wicket of Hashim Amla. William Perkins and Tamdin brought up 58-run stand to build the chase closer to the finishing line. Soon after Perkins fell, the magic continued for McCullum, who came in at No.4. Ramdin collected his half-century while McCullum easily made 43 off 28 deliveries to lead TKR to crushing victory.
Brief Scores:
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 137 for 6 in 20 overs (Lendl Simmons 60*; Dwayne Bravo 4 for 13, Sunil Narine 1 for 9) lose to Trinbago Knight Riders 138 for 2 in 17 overs (Denesh Ramdin 52*, Brendon McCullum 43*; Jeremiah Louis 1 for 25) by 8 wickets
