BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Andre Russell struck a key blow by removing Chris Green at the end of the penultimate over as Trinbago Knight Riders held their nerve to edge Jamaica Tallawahs by two runs in the first game of a triple-header of the Caribbean Premier League here yesterday.
Entering the contest with Tallawahs in trouble on 92 for six in the 16th in pursuit of 143, Green blasted three sixes in a 16-ball 32, to haul his side back into the mix and give them a sniff of victory.
However, after adding 39 for the seventh wicket with Imad Wasim (19) not out, Green perished to the final delivery of the 19th over, holing out to long off off Russell.
His dismissal proved a massive blow to the Tallawahs comeback efforts and, left with 12 runs to get from the final over, the task proved out of their reach despite a nerve-jangling last over.
Imad belted fast bowler Ali Khan’s first delivery to the cover boundary to reduce the deficit but three scoreless deliveries left Tallawahs with too much to do, despite another four off the penultimate ball.
“We thought that it was a decent wicket to chase down 143 but it’s a part of the game,” said Tallawahs captain Brandon King.
King had earlier top-scored with 36 from 25 balls with four fours and two sixes, inspiring a 57-run, opening stand Alex Hales (21), before six wickets tumbled for 35 runs as Russell (3-34), along with Man-of-the-Match Waqar Salamkheil (2-21) and veteran off-spinner Sunil Narine (2-26) tore through the innings.
Sent in, TKR also enjoyed a sound start thanks to Mark Deyal who struck 30 from 23 balls, including a four and three sixes, to drive a 58-run, first wicket partnership with Martin Guptill (15) which formed the foundation of their side’s 142 for eight.
However, TKR lost three wickets for five runs in the space of nine deliveries to be 63 for three in the ninth over before Captain Kieron Pollard (33) and Lorcan Tucker (30) put on 52 for the fourth to salvage the innings.
New ball seamer Mohammed Amir (3-20) and fast bowler Kelvin Pitman (3-27) both finished with three wickets apiece.