KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Captain Kumar Sangakkara’s first half-century of the 2017 Caribbean Premier League lifted Jamaica Tallawahs to an enterprising four-wicket victory as St Lucia Stars’ wretched winless run continued here Friday night.
Chasing 173 for victory at Sabina Park, the hosts romped to their target with an over to spare with the left-handed Sangakkara stroking an unbeaten 74 off 45 deliveries.
Andre McCarthy chipped in with 36 while Glenn Phillips supported with 21.
Stars captain Shane Watson had earlier struck a top score of 80 off 45 balls as Stars, chasing their first win, tallied a respectable 172 for eight off their 20 overs.
Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher both got 20 while left-arm spinner Garey Mathurin (2-26) and seamer Krishmar Santokie (2-33) finished with a brace of wickets each.
The victory lifted Tallawahs to 10 points in third, behind leaders Trinbago Knight Riders on 14 points and the second placed St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on 11.
Stars, meanwhile, slumped to their eighth defeat in nine outings with their only point coming from a no-result.
Sent in, Stars lost wickets early on and it was left to Watson to pull the innings around in a knock that included three fours and seven sixes.
With the innings stuttering at 60 for three in the ninth over after Marlon Samuels was bowled by pacer Rovman Powell for four, Watson took the attack to the bowlers in two key partnerships.
Firstly, he put on 41 with Charles for the fourth wicket before adding a further 43 for the fifth wicket Darren Sammy who made eight.
In reply, Tallawahs lost opener Lendl Simmons cheaply for 11 with the score on 27 in the third over when he was lbw to full length delivery from speedster Jerome Taylor.
But Sangakkara stepped up in a fluent innings, striking nine four and three sixes, to expertly guide Tallawahs home.
Along the way, he put on 42 for the second wickt with New Zealander Phillips before adding 71 for the third with McCarthy and 31 for the fourth wicket with Powell.
Upcoming fixture: Guyana Amazon Warriors versus Barbados Tridents on Tuesday in Bridgetown, Barbados from 6pm.