The Caribbean Premier League kicked off early this morning with Jamaica Tallawahs facing St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, wonderful batting approach from the Jamaica Tallawahs helped the team to start the campaign in style.
St. Kitts after winning the toss decided to bowl first, Brandon King and Kennar Lewis came on to open the innings for the Jamaica side where both made an opening partnership of 116 in 14.3 overs. Brandon scored a brilliant knock of 89 runs from 57 balls with a strike rate of 156.14, on the other hand, Kennar Lewis missed out on a half-century after scoring 48 runs in 46 balls with six sixes. An amazing cameo from Rovman Powell helped the Jamaica side to post a total of 183/2 in 20 overs.
St. Kitts bowlers struggled to stop the flow of runs, where only DJ Bravo and Jaden Carmichael managed to pick up a wicket each. In reply, St. Kitts came on to bat where they lost Evin Lewis early and on the other hand Andre Fletcher tried to build the innings but later fell prey to Nicholson Gordon after scoring 31 runs from 34 balls.
Sherfane Rutherford was the highest scorer from the St.Kitts side where he scored 33 runs from 22 balls, other than these two one contributed in a way to win the match. After an amazing batting performance from the Jamaican side now it was their bowler’s turn to shine, Nicholson Gordon picked up a three-wicket haul in his four-over spell. Imad Wasim and Migael Pretorius picked up two wickets each. This brilliant performance from both bat and ball ensured that the Jamaican side win the match by 47 runs.
After winning the man of the match award Brandon King said that “I am extremely happy (with his innings), playing for my home franchise. Wasn’t easy going out there at first I just tried to keep calm and not panic (going through a tough bowling spell from Duan Jansen). It was good that we had wickets in hand. The pitch was difficult to bat but we got a good total.
Jamaica will be up against Guyana Amazon Warriors next. But, before that, we got a double-header starting tomorrow. Saint Lucia Kings vs Trinbago Knight Riders followed by St Kitts & Nevis Patriots vs Barbados Royals in The Caribbean Premier League