The Barbados Tridents boosted their play-off hopes with a four wicket win over the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots at the Kensington Oval in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Chris Green’s excellent spell leading the Tridents attack allowed his team to limit the Patriots to under 120. Despite an early wobble, Quinton de Kock extended his lead at the top of the run charts with a classy 44 unbeaten to guide his team to a comfortable win. The South African’s innings only totalled four boundaries, but it was exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Tridents electing to bowl first made a blistering start as with skipper Green dismissing Johnson Charles with the second ball of the match. He completed a wicket maiden first over before Daniel Sams struck again two balls later, with Kyle Mayers feathering behind to Quinton de Kock. Green added another dagger to the side of the Patriots in the third over when dangerman Andre Fletcher chopped onto his stumps. The worst possible start for the visitors who were wilting at 6 for 3. The Patriots managed to regain some control but ended the PowerPlay a worrying 21 for 3.
The Tridents continued to tie down the attempted Patriots recovery with Gudakesh Motie getting in on the action. He removed Patriots skipper Jason Holder after Holder had chipped in with a handy 24. Wanindu Hasaranga had been one the heroes of a fantastic run chase in the reverse fixture and provided the Patriots with crucial runs here as he made 45 in 25 deliveries before he was brilliantly run out by Sherfane Rutherford. The visitors did well to rally to 118 with the final wicket coming on the last ball.
But the Tridents bowlers were excellent and sent the Bridgetown crowd to the concourse very happy at the innings break. Chris Green led from the front, finishing with figures of 4 for 20. Sams and Gudakesh Motie also picked up two each, with contributions from the likes of Jakeem Pollard and Shadrack Descarte.
After finishing their innings strongly, the Patriots bowlers came out fired up and almost perfectly replicated their opponents first few overs. Jason Holder took the bull by the horns and dismissed Brandon King and Rivaldo Clarke in the first over. Holder struck again shortly after with Zachary Carter departing after an excellent high catch from Hasaranga. The Tridents had been rocked but with their steady veteran wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock at the crease, you still felt they had control. The PowerPlay yielded 38 runs for the loss of 3.
Despite the promising start, de Kock began to bed in, showing his poise and incredible temperament, the kind that only comes with his level of experience and quality. The leading run scorer in the tournament so far, he guided the innings at his own pace and never looked flustered. He orchestrated a partnership of 38 firstly with Shadrack Descarte and 39 with Sherfane Rutherford to put the Tridents within touching distance of the Patriots low score. There was still time for a spectacular reaction catch from Kyle Mayers to get rid of Chris Green.
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But Daniel Sams finished the job with a Republic Bank Maximum. The loss will eliminate the Patriots from play-off contention but boosts the Tridents right into the mix with two more games of their home leg to play.