CPL: Tallawahs prolong Tridents’ misery at home
SUMMARY: Jamaica Tallawahs 153-5 (Charles 53, Powell 35*, Wahab Riaz 2-27) beat Barbados Tridents 151-9 (Guptill 73, Thomas 2-22) by five wickets with 16 balls remaining
(Reporting and photography by Akeem Greene in Barbados)
Barbados Tridents slumped to their third successive home defeat in the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier (CPL) at the hands of clinical performance by Jamaica Tallawahs at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday night.
The victory puts Tallawahs at the top-of-the table with five wins in eight matches and Tridents facing an uphill battle in a tight race to the playoffs.
A target of 152 was never enough, given the dew and the turbo-charged start Tallawahs produced, led by opener Johnson Charles.
He smothered the bowlers to all parts of the venue, which meant Glenn Phillips’ early dismissal had no effect on the blistering Powerplay. Charles took 15 runs off a Jason Holder over and had a lifeline on 37 when Martin Guptill floored a diving effort, but the shots continued and the visitors were 56-1.
Charles got his first half-century of this season with five fours and three sixes in the bag. He chopped on to his stumps, bringing a close to his enterprising 53 from 33 balls.
The departure of Kennar Lewis (8) and David Miller (14) gave Tridents just a thought of something miraculous happening, but Rovman Powell took 19 off the 14th over bowled by Mohammed Irfan and then aided in 13 coming for the next, delivered by Colin de Grandhome.
His power-hitting exhibition for which he finished unbeaten on 35 (2x4s;2x6s) from 27-balls, meant the match was done and dusted inside the 18th over.
Tridents had made four changes, but none changed their fortunes as they stumbled to 44-3 by the end of the Powerplay.
The fit-again Hashim Amla was snapped up by Samuel Badree in the second over and Oshane Thomas who was unleashing some snaring pace on a lively pitch, demolished the stumps of Shai Hope with a deadly yorker.
Tridents were reeling and the experienced duo of Steve Smith and Guptill undertook operation restoration. Smith played his characteristic wristy shots, igniting the strong Bajan support, and they began to breathe again.
Guptill too looked in good nick, striking Colin de Grandhome for a massive six over long-off, giving a hint he was returning to his best.
The Kiwi had his revenge but not against his countryman, getting Smith to feather one behind and the sinking Trident’s ship went deeper.
Captain Holder clobbered his first ball for six and two balls later he was walking back to the pavilion after a direct hit from Charles at deep-wicket. “Oh no”, the Bajans screamed from the stands.
In came Nicholas Pooran, who has been in decent touch this season, only to play a reckless shot to wide long-off against an Adam Zampa googly; the home side were now 55-5 in nine overs and a brief downpour saved them from more embarrassment.
Amidst the turmoil, Guptill held his composure, stroking four fours and two sixes to reach his ninth CPL half-century in 40 balls. The Black Caps opener and Imran Khan then forged a partnership, adding 60 in 44 deliveries. Time was running out and Khan played an expansive shot only to reach Kennar Lewis at deep cover.
Guptill’s rescue act continued with him smashing Powell into oblivion over long-leg, then next ball miss-timing one to long-on. It summed up the Trident’s innings- just hits and then misses.
Ashely Nurse took 16 off the final Andre Russell over in a quick-fire 11-ball 20, which propped Tridents’ total to some respect.
Action continues at the Oval on Friday (August 31) where Tridents battle Guyana Amazon Warriors from 20:00h.
