Tridents suffer first CPL defeat of season

The Barbados Tridents suffered their first defeat of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League season on Tuesday night, going down by 30 runs to the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at North Sound, Antigua.

Player of the Match Joshua James grabbed three wickets for 18 runs, while Moeen Ali struck an unbeaten 56 off 37 balls as the Falcons returned to the top of the points table.

Joshua James was the Player of the Match for his three. (Photo Credit: CPL)

After being sent in to bat by the Tridents, the Falcons were restricted to 40 for two at the end of the powerplay before going on to reach 155 for five from their allotted 20 overs.

Their innings got off to the worst possible start after opener Rahkeem Cornwall was bowled by Daniel Sams with the first ball of the innings.

Ali was the mainstay of the batting effort, with his knock coming from 37 balls and featuring three fours and four sixes, while opener Amir Jangoo added 26 and Karima Gore 27.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the most successful Tridents bowler, taking two for 32, while there was also a wicket apiece for Sams, Ramon Simmonds and Gudakesh Motie.

In their turn at the wicket, the Tridents reached 45 for two at the end of the powerplay.

Shian Brathwaite, who has been drafted into the squad as a replacement for Kadeem Alleyne, was dismissed for seven, while Zachary Carter added 17.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals for the Tridents as they slumped from 54 for two in the eighth over to 95 for seven midway through the 14th over.

The Tridents were eventually dismissed for 125 off 18 overs, as Rivaldo Clarke top-scored with 27 off 26 balls, while Kevlon Anderson added 22.

In addition to James’ three wickets for the Falcons, Alzarri Joseph took two for 12, Shadab Khan two for 23 and Sufiyan Muqeem two for 36 in a strong all-round bowling performance.

Reflecting after the game, Tridents skipper Chris Green said his team had played really well before losing its way.

“The two young players, Rivaldo Clarke and Kevlon Anderson, I thought their partnership was really impressive and got us to a really nice platform. (However) after that catch, I don’t know how for one that was out, but after that catch, that seemed to be the moment where they (the Falcons) were able to gather momentum and take it on their side.

“For us it just felt like we panicked a little bit and that gave the game away.”

The defeat was the first for the Tridents, who opened their campaign with back-to-back victories. For Green, it is a case of learning from the loss and not panicking.

“In T20 cricket you’re going to play good games, you’re gonna play bad games. Sometimes you win those bad games, sometimes you lose those good games. It’s a matter of fine margins.

“We’ve had a long break, we’ve played 3 games now, we’ve got 7 to go. We’re still in a really good position, but I think your key word there is learning, and we are a young side and we’ve got to keep learning,” he stated.

(KH)