PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC –A half century from Irishman Kevin O’Brien and disciplined bowling from the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel carried them to their first win in the CPL T20 tournament as they defeated Guyana Amazon Warriors by three runs at Queen’s Park Oval last night
O’Brien hammered 70 off 47 balls in helping the Red Steel to post 159 off their 20 overs before their bowlers then restricted the Warriors to 156 for four to pull-off a narrow victory.
In another last over decider, the Warriors needed 20 from six balls but fell just short despite the efforts of James Franklin (60 not out) and Christopher Barnwell (23 not out)who took them in striking distance. Kevon Cooper, with clever variations, managed to produce three dot balls in the final over that seemingly made the difference between victory and defeat.
Following some less than impressive fielding, that allowed the Red Steel to put a challenging total on the board, the Amazon Warriors needed a good start from their openers but it never materialised.
Paceman Fidel Edwards induced an edge from the in-form Lendl Simmons, in the third over with just 22 runs on the board, and soon the Warriors were 47 for three with opener Martin Guptil (6) and captain Ramnaresh Sarwan (4) also dismissed cheaply.
The Warriors struggled in the middle overs before Pakistani T20 captain Mohammad Hafeez, with a fighting 35 off 38 balls, and some late hitting by New Zealander James Franklin gave them renewed hope.
Franklin put on 31 for the fourth-wicket with Hafeez and shared an unfinished fifth-wicket partnership of 78 with Barnwell that also most denied the Red Steel a victory.
Captain Dwayne Bravo, who took 2 for 21 and wisely opted not to bowl at the death, seamer Kevon Cooper , left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and young pacer Delorn Johnson all bowled well to keep the Warriors in check.
Earlier when the Red Steel won the toss and opted to bat , man-of-the-match O’Brien posted an opening stand of 95 in 11.4 overs with Adrian Barath (29) and continued to dominate the bowling after Barath was caught behind.
His half century contained some massive sixes before he was second out, falling to an impressive diving catch by Hafeez. Ross Taylor gave the innings some late momentum as he scored 39 not out off 25 balls. Krismar Santokie took two for 25 for the Warriors before the Red Steel later held their nerve to register their first win.
SCOREBOARD
Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel innings:
K. O’Brien c Mohammad Hafeez b Barnwell 70 (47b)
A. Barath c wkp Ramdin b Jacobs 29 (31b)
R. Taylor not out 39 (25b)
N Pooran† c Franklin b Santokie 3
DJ Bravo (capt) b Santokie 8
DM Bravo not out 7
Extras (lb 1, w 2) 3
Total (4 wkts off 20 overs) 159
Did not bat: K Cooper, D. Johnson, Y Cariah, S. Benn, F. Edwards
Fall of wkts: 1-95 (Barath, 11.4 ov), 2-125 (O’Brien, 15.5 ov), 3-128 (Pooran, 16.4 ov), 4-147 (DJ Bravo, 18.5 ov).
Bowling :
C. Barnwell 3-0-22- 1 (2w)
K. Santokie 4 -0 -25-2
Mohammad Hafeez 2 -0-11-0
S. Narine 4 -0 -35-0
J. Franklin 2 -0 -25-0
V Permaul 4 -0-30-0
SA Jacobs 1-0 -10-1
Guyana Amazon Warriors innings:
L. Simmons c wkp Pooran b Edwards 18
M. Guptill c Benn b Johnson 6
Mohammad Hafeez c wkp Pooran b DJ Bravo 35 (38b)
R. Sarwan (capt) c wkp Pooran b DJ Bravo 4
J. Franklin not out 60 (34b)
C. Barnwell not out 23 (18b)
Extras (b 2, lb 3, w 5) 10
Total (4 wkts off 20 overs) 156
Did not bat – SA Jacobs, D Ramdin†, S. Narine, K Santokie, V Permaul
Fall of wkts : 1-22 (Simmons, 2.5 ov), 2-41 (Guptill, 5.6 ov), 3-47 (Sarwan, 7.5 ov), 4-78 (Mohammad Hafeez, 13.3 ov)
Bowling:
F. Edwards 4-0-47- 1
D. Johnson 4-0-25-1(2w)
K Cooper 4-0-35- 0(2w)
S. Benn 4-0-23- 0(1w)
DJ Bravo 4-0-21- 2
RESULT: TT Red Steel won by 3 runs.
Man-of-the-match – Kevin O’Brien (TT red Steel).
Points: TT Red Steel 2, Guyana Amazon Warriors 0
Umpires : PJ Nero and JS Wilson
TV umpire – PA Gustard
