Glen Bart, MyVueNews.com
Basseterre, St. Kitts, 3rd September, 2018 (MyVueNews.com) – Anxious Patriots fans were relieved when the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots defeated the Jamaica Tallawahs in a 2nd September rain affected match at Warner Park Cricket Stadium.
At stake was the Patriots’ need to win this match in order to assure themselves a place in the play-offs.
But when the Tallawahs amassed 207 runs in their 20 overs, there were many concerned faces, with good reason. In just the previous match against the Trinbago Knight Riders, the Patriots lost, and they were well short of the 200-run target.
Chasing 207 for victory, the Patriots’ captain Chris Gayle laid the foundation with a rapid 41, before he fell just after a break for rain.
With the DLS in play, Patriots needed to make 118 to win. Gayle’s innings (41) during the power play were then followed with smashing knocks from Rassie van der Dussen (45) and M Mahmudulla (28), the Patriots won by 7 wickets and secured a place in the play-offs.
In the play-offs would be Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs and the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots.
But as Captain Gayle said, the Patriots team has a lot of work to do in all departments – bowling, batting and fielding.
The Patriots final home game at Warner Park is against the Barbados Tridents, who were recently defeated by the St. Lucia Stars, a team that has been struggling in the CPL T20 tournaments. Patriots will also want to win against the Tridents to boost the players confidence.
Come Tuesday, 4th September, Tridents and Patriots each will be playing to prove a point.
Top Photo: SKN Patriots Captain Chris Gayle – There is work to be done in all departments. (Photo courtesy CPL T20 Ltd 2018)