Published: Wednesday 6th September, 2017.
By: T. Chapman
SKN PULSE – A half-century from Chris Gayle and good all-round performance from the team have earned the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots a spot in the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final.
Playing against the Trinidad and Tobago Knight Riders (TKR) at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Gayle played the anchor role after his side was sent into bat. Losing their first wicket early, captain Gayle braved the storm and scored an unbeaten 54 from 51 deliveries with just three sixes and three fours, to help his team reach 149-7.
Other contributors were, Brandon King 30 and Mohammad Hafeez scored 21 from 13 balls.
Dwayne Bravo was the most dangerous of the TKR bowlers as he ended with figures of 4-38, while Ronsford Beaton bagged 2-22 and Kevon Cooper, had 1-12 from two overs.
With the loss of Brendon McCullum at the top of the order, Trinidad’s batting lineup has seemingly suffered. McCullum broke a bone in his forearm during a game against Tridents.
Trinidad turn at the crease didn’t provide the outcome that the home team expected. Narine was run out for nought, while replacement for McCullum at the top of the order, William Perkins, could only manage one, with Ben Hilfenhaus sending him back to the pavillion.
Cotrell was the danger man and best bowler for Patriots on the night bagged 3-17. He was complimented by good bowling from Tabraiz Shamsi, 1-25, Hafeez, 1-11, Carlos Brathwaite, 1-18, Gayle, 1-9 and Helfenhaus, 1-13.
The TKR, who had looked like champions until tonight, were instead bowled out for 111 in 19.3 overs, Patriots winning by 38 runs.
Today, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will face-off against the Jamaica Tallawahs at the Queen’s Park Oval.
