Tallawahs inch home in rain-affected match

After being outplayed in their first meeting, the Jamaica Tallawahs just about got the better of the Barbados Royals by six runs under the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method in their return Caribbean Premier League fixture in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday.

After restricting the Royals to 146 for 6, the Jamaican franchise almost let slip what should have been an easy victory as they managed to reach 126 for five in 17 overs, which was six runs over the par score when rain ended the contest.

Had the rain ended the contest a mere three balls earlier, the Royals would have won by the D/L method, however, a timely six towards the back end by captain Rovman Powell ensured that his side was ahead of the run rate, which was good enough for the victory.

It was a contest that saw the ball initially dominating the bat, with Tallawahs opting to field, which proved correct on a track that was offering much assistance to the bowlers.

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim continued to relish the Caribbean conditions as it was his three early wickets that broke the back of the Royals.

The player of the match would send down three overs and claim 3 for 14 as the Royals struggled to 17 for 3 in the power play.

When Fabian Allen sent back Azam Khan for 12, at 47 for 4 in the 10th over, a paltry score looked imminent for the Barbados franchise, however, wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock and captain David Miller had other ideas.

The pair resuscitated the innings with an 83-run fifth-wicket partnership that made the score look a lot better after their uncertain start.

Miller scored 34 from 27 balls with one four and two sixes. De Kock chalked up another half-century in the tournament when he top-scored with 73 from 43 balls with seven fours and three sixes.

In the reply, the new opening pair of Jangoo and Brandon King added 53 runs in just 4.3 overs. Jangoo was the first to go as he miscued Obed McCoy’s slower delivery and was caught for a quick-fire 29 from18 balls after hitting five fours and a six.

King and the returning Shamarh Brooks were cruising towards the target at 95 for one in the 10th over when the rain came and halted proceedings.

On the resumption, the rejuvenated Royals bowlers swiftly removed four Tallawahs batsmen for just 17 runs.

Brooks first went for 18 to McCoy, after which Jason Holder found his mojo and accounted for King for 46 along with Raymon Reifer and Fabian Allen, who made one apiece.

Precariously placed at 116 for 5, captain Powell and Imad Wasim smartly clawed their way to 126 while keeping the run rate in check until the rains came for a second time and ended the contest.

For Player of the Match Wasim, the team was put through a slightly worrying period, but he had no doubt that his captain would come up big in the end.

“I knew that Rovman would finish the job well. I have known him since 2015, and he is one of the best players in the world. He is the best finisher in the world, and I am excited to be a part of the Jamaica Tallawahs.”

The win for the Tallawahs sees them maintaining their second position on eight points. That is four points behind the leaders, Royals, who were losing their first game of the campaign.