BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Sept. 03.2018 – A blistering inning from Rassie van der Dussen and captain Chris Gayle ensured the St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots were able to secure the last semi-finals spot in the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League, when they defeated the Jamaica Tallawahs by seven wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis method last evening.
Winning the toss, knowing that there was an impending rainfall, the Patriots chose to bowl and was put to the sword, as the Andre Russell-led Tallawahs posted a mammoth 206 for 6 off their allotted 20 Overs.
Rovman Powell blasted his way to 84, an innings that consisted of 11x4’s and 4x6’s. He was supported by Glenn Phillips who stroked 40 and David Miller (32).
Ben Cutting was the pick of the bowlers for the home side, bagging figures of 2 for 29 from 4 overs, as Fabian Allen, Alzarri Joseph and Carlos Brathwaite all supported with one wicket apiece.
In reply, the Patriots were coasting along at 65 for 1 in 6.3 overs when the skies opened, and ‘showers of blessings’ fell on Warner Park.
In the revised total of 118 under the D/L method, the Patriots required 54 from 27 deliveries.
Van der Dussen blasted several boundaries, including three towering sixes, in an over that he and Mahmudullah carted for 27 runs.
Gayle told reporters after the game that the team and the fans needed last evenings victory as a boost of confidence.
He noted that despite the victory, there is still room for improvement ahead of his team’s knockout encounters in Guyana.
“There is still a lot of room for improvement for our game of cricket in all departments. We didn’t actually bowl that well, we didn’t field that well, but luckily we got over the line with the bat,” acknowledged Gayle.
Russell confessed that the weather had an impact on the result of the game.
“Patriots got the one good over that O’shane Thomas going for some 18 runs (27 runs), and that is what kinda give them the momentum, give them the vibes going into the other overs,” said Russell.
Heading into last evening’s encounter, the Patriots needed a victory to secure a place in the knockout stages by securing fourth spot.
However, they gained assistance from the earlier game, when the St. Lucia Stars stunned the Barbados Tridents who were in the race for the final position.
Gayle acknowledged that his team was under pressure heading to their Jamaica encounter.
“There was pressure to be honest. Like I said in the team meetings before the game, I am going to try my best to lead from the front, so guys can actually feed off that particular energy ,” added gayle.
The Patriots will now challenge the Tridents in the final home encounter at Warner Park on Tuesday (Sept. 04).
