BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Jamaica Tallawahs fine form and power hitting continued last evening (Aug. 31) at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium to brush off defending champions St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots in the opening match of this year’s Hero CPL tournament.
Coming off their success in the 6ixty competition over the weekend on a high, excellent batting from Brandon King brought the Patriots back to earth in a comprehensive 47-run victory.
The home side won the toss on a slightly two-paced wicket and opted to bowl first, and they paid dearly for the choice of Captain Dwayne Bravo as openers King (89) and Kennar Lewis (48) punished the bowlers for their inconsistent line and length.
The duo put on a 116-run opening partnership before Lewis perished, but King continued on his merry way as he blasted a few more lusty boundaries to ensure that a very competitive total would be posted.
King lost his wicket when he toe-ended a wide slower delivery from DJ Bravo to the younger Darren Bravo, but the damage was already done as Powell (30) put the finishing touches on the Tallawahs innings of 183/2 off 20 overs.
Cheered on by a vociferous crowd, the hosts could not keep up with the pressure applied by the Tallawahs as they lost opener Evin Lewis in the third over with the score 9.
However, wicketkeeper/batsman Andre Fletcher and Dewald Brevis put on a partnership of 36, including several lusty blows by the former, to guide the chase. But regular wickets pegged back the Patriots’effort, including two in two balls delivered by Nicholson Gordon to quickly put an end to any hope of a recovery.
In the end, the Patriots were rolled over for 136 for 8 off their allotted 20 overs.
Sherfane Rutherford of the Patriots, who also struggled last evening, credited the Tallawahs for their outstanding performance, explaining that his side made a number of errors which turned out to be very costly for them in the end.
“It is now for us to correct those few mistakes and try to correct them before the next game,” noted Rutherford.
The team however does not have enough time to make the necessary corrections as they will again be in action this evening.
The Patriots will be going up against the Barbados Royal at 7:00 p.m. on a busy day of cricket.
At 3:00 p.m., the distaff side of Guyana Warriors will be playing against their counterparts of the Trinbago Knight Riders, while the St. Lucia Stars will square off against the Trinbago Knight Riders at 10:00 p.m.
