CPL 2024: Russell, David blast TKR to victory over Warriors

Andre Russell and Tim David added 60 off 26 balls to guide Trinbago Knight Riders to a five-wicket win over Guyana Amazon Warriors at Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

Chasing 149 on Wednesday night, Knight Riders were 89-5 after 15 overs, needing 60 to win off 30 balls. It came down to 50 off 24, and Russell struck leg-spinner Nathan Sowter for three sixes to swing the game in Knight Riders favour, before David provided the finishing touches.

The victory, Knight Riders’ fourth in five matches, took them to second spot behind Barbados Royals. Defending champions Warriors, with consecutive defeats, dropped to fourth behind St. Lucia Kings.

Russell, dropped on nought by Junior Sinclair on the boundary off Shamar Joseph, ended on 36* off 15 (1×4, 4x6s) and David 31* off 24 (1×4, 2x6s). David struck sixes off the first two balls of the last over bowled by Keemo Paul to seal the result for the home franchise.

Notably, spinners Moeen Ali (1-5) and Gudakesh Motie (0-16) bowled just two overs each.

Earlier, Romario Shepherd and Dwaine Pretorius put on an unbroken 72 off 48 balls to lift Guyana Amazon Warriors to 148-7 in the mega clash. That total seemed far from reality when Knight Riders had Warriors wobbling at 76-7 after 12 overs.

However, Shepherd blasted 51* off 24 (3x4s, 4x6s) and Pretorius played the supporting role with 21 not out off 25 (2x4s) as Warriors went into the break with the momentum.

Warriors’ top-order folded meekly with opener Tim Robinson with 34 off 28 (4x4s) and Ali 11 off 11 (1×4) being the other players into double-figures.

Kevin Sinclair (9), Shai Hope (5), Shimron Hetmyer (7), Paul (3) and Motie (5) were all dismissed cheaply.

Left-arm spinner Waqar Salamkheil took 2-19, Sunil Narine 2-24, Akeal Hosein 1-20 and Dwayne Bravo 1-41.

The Warriors now head home for their remaining five matches.

They play bottom-of-the-table St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Friday (September 20) from 19:00h.