BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots will be looking to give their fans one more thing to cheer about when they come up against the Barbados Tridents this evening (Jul. 5), as they close out their home-leg of the first round of the 2016 Caribbean Premier League.
The team is coming off of a comprehensive 61-run victory over the St. Lucia Zouks on Sunday (Jul. 3) at Warner Park; their first for the season.
Speaking with reporters after his team’s victory, Jonathan Carter said there was always pressure when playing at home and not winning games.
He was referring their two opening defeats at the hands of the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Jamaica Tallawahs.
Carter pointed out that strategies were changed from their opening games that saw them sticking together as a group and coming out successfully.
“Twenty20 is all about strategy and at times changing your order. We hit our areas better today than in the first two games. We bowled and batted better tonight and that is it.”
Looking ahead to their encounter this evening, he pointed out that the game is played on the field and each team would predict, but it is the unit that comes out and plays better on the evening would be the winners.
“There are some big names there but we are still playing cricket and we have to play cricket on the day...and we would see what is going to happen on that day,” Carter noted.
Winning the toss, the Zouks inserted the home team and they posted a formidable total of 203 for 7 off their allotted 20 overs.
Young Trinidadian wicketkeeper/batsman Evin Lewis top scored with a brilliant 73 from 36 balls, which comprised six fours and five sixes. He gained support from opening partner Lendell Simmons, as the two of them shared a 69-run stand before the latter departed for 30.
Another wicketkeeper/batsman, Devon Thomas, chip in with a quick fire 48 as they posted the mammoth total.
Allrounder Shane Watson was the pick of the Zouks bowlers, grabbing figures of 3 for 36 from his four overs, while captain Darren Sammy, Morne Morkel and Derone Davis each picked up a wicket.
In reply, the St. Lucians got off to a flying start through openers Johnson Charles and Shane Watson - reaching 90 before Charles was dismissed.
That triggered a collapse which saw the team folding for 145 for 5 off their allotted 20 overs.
The action bowls off from 19:00 hours this evening at the same venue.
