Zouks' late revival continues with victory over Tallawahs

Basseterre (St. Kitts), Aug 10 (IANS/CMC) Resurgent St. Lucia Zouks comfortably outplayed holders Jamaica Tallawahs to snatch their second straight win in their bid to salvage some much needed pride from their Caribbean Premier League campaign (CPL).

Chasing a modest 144 for victory, Zouks cruised to target off just 17.3 overs, with opener Andre Fletcher leading the charge with a top score of 49 from 35 balls at Warner Park here Saturday, reports CMC.

Henry Davids added 29 and Kevin Pietersen, 23, as Zouks moved to four points, further distancing themselves from Antigua Hawksbills. However, already eliminated from playoff contention, the win was nothing more than academic.

Earlier, the Tallawahs wasted a decent start, only to be bowled out for 143 off 19.1 overs, after they were sent in. When opener Chadwick Walton was busy top-scoring with 48 from 33 deliveries, Tallawahs looked threatening but once he departed in the ninth over at 64 for two, the last eight wickets tumbled for 79 runs, with five balls remaining.

The damage was done by seamer Mervin Matthew who picked up three for 15 while fellow pacers, captain Darren Sammy (2/29) and Tino Best (2/36) lending a helping hand.

Walton struck two fours and five sixes in his knock before being taken at deep square leg off off-spinner Liam Sebastien.

In reply, Zouks were never in trouble, even though they lost Johnson Charles caught at the wicket for 16 off left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori in the fifth over with the score on 28.

Fletcher, however, kept the innings on course, slamming three fours and three sixes, while adding 60 for the second wicket with Englishman Pietersen whose innings was a measured one, requiring 29 balls with just one four.

After Fletcher perished in the 13th over, lbw to seamer Russell, Pietersen and South African Davids, who stroked four fours and a six in his 17-ball knock, put on another 31 runs for the third wicket to put Zouks in sight of victory.

Brief scores:

Jamaica Tallawahs: 143 off 19.1 overs (Chadwick Walton 48; Mervin Matthew 3/15, Darren Sammy 2/29, Tino Best 2/36)

St. Lucia Zouks 144 for three off 17.3 overs (Andre Fletcher 49, Henry Davids 29, Kevin Pietersen 23).

--IANS/CMC