Tallawahs brought down to Earth

The Jamaica Tallawahs could not replicate their first match form, as they were soundly beaten by seven wickets by the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Tallawahs, who were asked to take the first strike, stuttered throughout the innings, as the Knight Riders bowlers stifled the Jamaicans’ inning with some excellent bowling in difficult, damp conditions.

For the second day running, Chadwick Walton went cheaply as Ali Khan took the first of his two wickets when he had the right-hander caught down at long leg without a run on the board.

Nicholas Kirton still has not yet found his feet in the tournament, as he went first ball to young West Indies Under-19 fast bowler Jayden Seals, lbw for a duck to leave the Tallawahs 10 for two in the second over.

When Skipper Rovman Powell held out to Bravo off Khan for eight, things looked glim for the Tallawahs at 19 for three, however, opener Glen Phillips, as he has done on many occasions, spruced up the innings with another quick-fire 58 from 42 balls.

First match hero Asif Ali could not repeat his performance from the opening game, as he contributed just 22 before he went to the miserly Sunil Narine.

Despite an uncharacteristic 25 from 26 balls from Andre Russell and 15 not out from Ramaal Lewis towards the end, the Tallawahs could not find second gear and only mustered 135 for eight.

In their reply, the Knight Riders’ run chase was set up nicely from the early hitting of Man of the Match Narine, who clobbered 53 from 38 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

Narine and Colin Munro, who was left unbeaten on 49, put on 75 for the second wicket as the hosts easily got to 136 for three to seal their second win on the trot.