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Tallawahs look for redemption

Published:Tuesday | September 10, 2019 | 12:23 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Christopher Lamont of Jamaica Tallawahs celebrates the wicket of Lendl Simmons of Trinbago Knight Riders during the Hero Caribbean Premier League match between the two teams at Queen’s Park Oval on September 6, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Ashley Allen - CPL T20
Christopher Lamont of Jamaica Tallawahs celebrates the wicket of Lendl Simmons of Trinbago Knight Riders during the Hero Caribbean Premier League match between the two teams at Queen’s Park Oval on September 6, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Left-arm spinner Christopher Lamont says that the Jamaica Tallawahs are eager for redemption following their 22-run opening Caribbean Premier League loss to the Trinbago Knight Riders last Friday as they play away to the winless St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Basseterre today.

The Melbourne spinner, who picked up one wicket for 38 runs in three overs against the Knight Riders, said that the team had put in an intense training session yesterday, and nothing less than a win would be accepted come today’s second game.

“The guys really practised hard today because we want to leave here with at least one win from our two away games to head back home to Sabina Park with. We didn’t bowl as well as we could in the first game, and we definitely will be tightening up in that area come Tuesday,” said Lamont.

Intense Fielding Drills

Lamont went on to add that the team also struggled in the field and to counter that, they had some intense fielding drills at Warner Park, the venue for today’s encounter.

“Our fielding has not been up to our usual Tallawahs standards and as you know, in T20 cricket, fielding is crucial and so we have to step up our efforts in the field and bowl consistently to back that up,” said Lamont.

The Tallawahs are expected to field the same 11 who took on the Trinbago Knight Riders, however, coach Donavan Miller may opt to bring in seamer Derval Green at the expense of either Shamar Springer or off-spinner Steven Jacobs.

The top order of the Tallawahs batting failed to spark; however, ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle, who made 28 runs in the opening encounter, is expected to come up trumps along with opening partner, wicketkeeper, batsman Glen Phillips, who managed just six runs.

Rovman Powell and Chadwick Walton are also due a big score, having made just one and 28 runs, respectively, at Queen’s Park Oval.

New Zealander George Worker, who top-scored with an unbeaten 46 will continue to bat in the middle order along with the dynamic Andre Russell, who hit 44.

The match bowls off at 5 p.m. Jamaica time.