Russell reigns over Kings Russell reigns over Kings
Record half-century powers Tallawahs to opening CPL win over St Lucia
Published:Sunday | August 29, 2021 | 12:08 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
Fuelled by all-rounder Andre Russell’s record half-century, the Jamaica Tallawahs produced a strong batting display as they defeated the St Lucia Kings by 120 runs in their Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season opener at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, yesterday.
Having lost the toss and sent to bat first, the Tallawahs, who had difficulty with the bat last season, posted 255 for five in their innings with Russell top-scoring with 50 from 14 balls, the fastest half-century in CPL history. His knock included three fours and six sixes in 26 minutes which earned him Man-of-the-Match honours. The win is also the largest margin of victory in CPL history.
In reply, the Kings were bowled out for 135 runs from 17.3 overs with Migael Pretorius taking four for 32 runs.
The Tallawahs got off to a good start with Chadwick Walton and Kennar Lewis opening the innings, combining for 81 runs before Lewis was caught by Roston Chase. The Tallawahs only needed eight overs to get to the 100-run mark and Russell said that the opening partnership gave the team the best platform to succeed.
“I just went out there with a clear frame of mind,” he said after the match. “I just backed myself. I think that the start we got from Kennar and Chadwick really set the tone for us.
“And with Rovi (Rovman Powell) and in the middle [Haider] Ali, I think once we keep playing like this, we are unstoppable. It’s good to get out and get a win like this. It’s a big win and well done to the boys.”
The Kings’ bowlers had difficulty dealing with the Tallawahs top order as Walton finished with 47 runs with Lewis posting 48. Ali contributed 45 and Powell, the captain, added 38. Obed McCoy took the majority of the wickets for the Kings as he finished with three for 52 runs and Chase had the two for 33. Wahab Riaz had a costly spell as he conceded 61 runs from his three overs.
RISKS BACKFIRED
Kings captain Faf du Plessis lamented his team’s inability to limit the number of boundaries and said that they had to take risks in their run chase, risks that backfired.
“I think our bowling today was a little bit disappointing, maybe a little bit rusty I think,” he said. “A lot of guys are coming up off lack of cricket. Obviously, there is a little wind factor that we spoke about before the game. I think too many boundaries were hit with the wind today,” du Plessis said after the game. “When you are chasing a big score like 255, you have to go hard up front and either it’s going to come off or you are going to lose quite a few wickets.”
The Kings, set a target of 256 to win, struggled in their chase as they lost Rahkeem Cornwall for 14 on the fourth delivery of their innings. Du Plessis was gone without scoring two balls later as the Tallawahs bowling attack got through the top order quickly. Imran Kahn was effective, contributing with three wickets for seven runs in his two and a half overs, taking the last three wickets. Tim David top-scored for the Kings with 56 runs.
The Tallawahs return to action today when they face the Barbados Royals at 1:30 p.m. Jamaica time.
SCOREBOARD
TALLAWAHS
+C. Walton c Paul b Chase 47
K. Lewis c McCoy b Chase 48
H. Ali c Usman Qadir b McCoy 45
*R. Powell c du Plessis b McCoy 38
A. Russell not out 50
C. Brathwaite c wkp Fletcher b McCoy 0
M. Pretorius not out 2
Extras (lb4, w14, nb7) 25
TOTAL (5 wkts, 20 overs) 255
Did not bat: S Brooks, C Green, V Permaul, Imran Khan
Fall of wickets: 1-81, 2-117, 3-199, 4-199, 5-201
Bowling: Wahab Riaz 3-0-61-0 (w1, nb3), Paul 4-0-41-0 (w1, nb1), McCoy 4-0-52-3 (w3, nb2), Usman Qadir 3-0-38-0 (w1), Chase 4-0-33-2, Williams 2-0-26-0 (w2, nb1).
KINGS
R. Cornwall c Russell b Pretorius 14
+A. Fletcher c Brathwaite b Russell 9
*F. du Plessis c wkp Walton b Pretorius 0
R. Chase c wkp Walton b Pretorius 11
M. Deyal c Khan b Green 5
T. David c Haider Ali b Pretorius 56
K. Paul run out 0
Wahab Riaz b Khan 26
Usman Qadir c wkp Walton b Khan 6
K. Williams not out 2
O. McCoy c Brooks b Khan 0
Extras (w6) 6
TOTAL (all out, 17.3 overs) 135
Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-15, 3-33, 4-38, 5-56, 6-56, 7-109, 8-118, 9-135, 10-135.
Bowling: Pretorius 4-0-32-4 (w1), Green 3-0-25-1, Russell 3-0-19-1, Permaul 3-0-25-0, Powell 2-0-27-0 (w5), Imran Khan 2.3-0-7-3.
Result: Tallawahs won by 120 runs.
Man-of-the-Match: Andre Russell.
Toss: St Lucia Kings.
Umpires: C Taylor, D Butler; TV – N Duguid.