By Dennis James
Defending Caribbean Premier League T20 Champions, Trinbago Knight Riders, won their first match of the prestigious tournament securing a six wicket victory against Barbados Royals at Warner Park, St Kitts on Friday night.
Set 123 runs to win, T.K.R. reached 125 for 4 of 16.5 overs.
Captain Kieron Pollard led by example with 58 runs from 30 balls.
His knock included six sixes and three fours.
Pollard got support from wicketkeeper batsman, Dinesh Ramdin, who made 29 not out.
Mohammed Amir was the pick of the bowlers for Barbados Royals with figures of 3 wickets for 21 runs from 4 overs.
Earlier, Barbados Royals batting first made 122 runs from 19.2 overs, with Azam Khan top scoring with 30 runs.
Isuru Udana had an impressive spell for T.K.R. taking 5 wickets for 21 runs from 4 overs.
In the first match on Friday, Jamaica Tallawahs pulled off a convincing 120 runs win against St Lucia Kings.
Andre Russell provided the boost for the Tallawahs innings scoring the fastest half century in CPL history.
Russell made 50 not out from 14 deliveries, smashing six sixes and three boundaries to guide his team to 255 for 5, the second highest total in CPL history.
Tim David was the main contributor for St Lucia Kings with 56 runs as his team reached 135 off 17.3 overs.
In the opening CPL match, Trinbago Knight Riders lost their first game by nine runs against Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Scores in the game, Warriors 142 for 7, Shimon Hetmyer, led the way with 54 runs.
In reply T.K.R. reached 133 for 9, Dinesh Ramdin top scored with 28 runs.
Romario Shepherd had 3 wickets for 15 runs bowling for the Warriors.
In the second match, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots got the better of Barbados Royals by 21 runs.
Patriots made 175 for 5 batting first with Sherfane Rutherford making 53 runs with support coming from captain Dwayne Bravo 47 not out.
Barbados Royals in their run chase reached 154 for 7, with Shai Hope top scoring with 44 runs.
Sheldon Cottrell and Dominic Drakes took two wickets each to help push back the Royals in their victory target.
COMMENTS