Tridents one step closer to CPL playoffs

The Barbados Tridents kept their Republic Bank CPL playoff hopes alive with a four-wicket victory over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Kensington Oval on Thursday.

The crucial win lifted the Tridents from the bottom of the table into fourth place on eight points, while ending the Patriots’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the Patriots endured a nightmare start, losing their first three wickets for just six runs. Openers Johnson Charles and Kyle Mayers were both dismissed for second-ball ducks before Andre Fletcher followed them back to the pavilion after scoring just four runs. 

Twenty-one for three at the end of the Power Play soon became 51 for five in the 11th over, when Player-of-the-Match Chris Green dismissed Dasun Shanaka for six. It was the last wicket the Tridents skipper would take, as he finished the match with the impressive figures of four for 20.

Wanindu Hasaranga was run out for a quickfire 45 from 25 deliveries and captain Jason Holder added 24, but the Patriots never fully recovered from their top order slump and went on to be dismissed for 118 off the final ball of the innings.

Daniel Sams took two for 21 and Gudakesh Motie two for 30, while Jakeem Pollard bowled impressively once again despite going wicketless, with his four overs going for just 17 runs.

Like the Patriots, the Tridents also lost three wickets in the Power Play during their reply, as Brandon King failed to score, Rivaldo Clarke added four and Zachary Carter 13.

Thirty-eight for three at the end of the Power Play became 65 for four when Shadrack Descarte was dismissed in the 11th over for 19, before Quinton de Kock and Sherfane Rutherford steadied the innings.

Rutherford was the next man out for 23 from 17 deliveries, but wicketkeeper batsman de Kock ended unbeaten on 44 from 43 balls including two fours and two sixes, as the Tridents sealed the crucial win at 120 for six in the 18th over.

Holder completed a solid all round performance for the Patriots as he returned to take three wickets for 31 runs, while Naseem Shah grabbed two for 11.

Reflecting on his Player-of-the-Match performance, Green said he was most  happy to contribute to the win.

“It was nice to get some wickets and contribute, but I think most importantly (was) getting the win and pushing us one step closer to qualifying and achieving our goal of having home finals,” he said.

“I think the consistent factor in the three home games has been our bowling performance. It’s been different bowlers stepping up at crucial times. We’ve got a really good blueprint that’s been successful at home here (and) hopefully, we can keep that going.”

Green is encouraged by the Tridents’ late-season surge but insists the team is yet to hit its peak.

Patriots captain Jason Holder was crestfallen to miss out on the playoffs once again this year.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed. We thought we had a pretty good team this year, but we didn’t live up to our expectations. I think all in all, we had a few games to win, which we didn’t win.

“My last two seasons here, it’s pretty much the same story. We came close, but we haven’t quite gotten over the line. I think on reflection for the franchise, we’ve really got to look at some ways to get over the line,” he added.

The Tridents will continue their push for a playoff spot, with another key game against Jamaica Kings, at Kensington Oval on Saturday, September 12.

(KH)