Photo Caption: TKR players celebrating their victory.
Published: Sunday 10th September, 2017
By: T. Chapman
SKN PULSE – The Trinbago Knight Riders were once again crowned the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) champions for a second straight year. They beat the SKN Patriots by three-wickets at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
The Patriots, who were sent into bat struggled throughout their innings as they could only muster 135-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Trinidad were able to reach their target with an over to spare.
The Patriots top order batsmen failed when it mattered most.
Beaton, who bowled a delivery to Gayle in the first over at 151.6 kilometres, the quickest of the tournament, caused much damage in a first over that cost just one run.
In the second over, Javon Searles benefitted from Beaton’s pace, as a slower delivery had Gayle reaching for it, the big left hander only managing to lob an easy catch to Yasir Shah at backward point, a wicket that changed the game totally for the Patriots.
From there it was all downhill for the Patriots, as Sunil Narine squeezed them, bowling his four overs for just eight runs and a wicket to boot.
Kevon Cooper, ended with 2-12 from two overs, while Javon Searles had 2-29.
Nevertheless the Patriots total of 135, was definitely runs on the board and they sure did make a game out of it.
An all round team effort from the Patriots on the field had TKR sweating as they were in trouble at 67-5. Trinidad regained confidence after a superb innings of 29 from 14 deliveries from Cooper, who took the game away from the Patriots, courtesy of taking 22 from Ben Hilfenhaus’ third over, the 19th.
Patriots were favoured to win since they had sent Narine back for three, Dwayne Bravo for nought, Hamza Tariq for 18, and Darren Bravo for one.
Unfortunately the 19th over turned out to be a nightmare for Hilfenhaus as Cooper took advantage of him. He smacked Hilfenhaus for a six and a four after he bowled two wides and a no ball.
Trinbago Knight Riders won by three wickets a d an over to spare.
Patriots bowling figures: Sheldon Cottrell, 2-21, Mohammad Hafeez, 2-19 from four overs, and Tabraiz Shamsi, 2-20.
