CPL 2020 - Match Analysis ( Two Matches )

Yesterday, there were two games played at Caribbean Premier League 2020. One is between Tribago Knight Riders and Barbados Tridents at morning, whereas Guyana Amazon Warriors faced against St. Lucia Zouks. At one side, it is a match between the topper and the average student, whereas at the other end, it is a match between two teams of equal strength. At both the matches, the team who batted first have won the game.  

Match 1 - Knight Riders VS Tridents

The match had begun little later, as there were rains, pouring at Tarouba. Yet, still full match wasn't interrupted, with both teams playing the 20 overs. As like each other teams played so far in this year's tournament, Barbados Tridents have won the toss and decided to field first. Knight Riders were in complete form whereas for Barbados Tridents, their batting has let them down, which were expected to be in change today.

Simmons and Narine made their way to bat. Till the end of first 4 overs, they hadn't got much in their willow, and found themselves struggling. Holder was the one, putting pressure, with his decent paced good length and back off the length deliveries. Narine, didn't found himself much, as they targeted him with short balls. Simmons, were dismissed by Holder, inside the powerplay with a well directed bounce. He gave himself a catch straight to mid on. Munro came in. He was looking so desperate to strike the ball down the boundary. He started hitting right from the very first ball. Were so confident in his hitting, with his dancing shoes on !. He completed his fifty of just 28 balls and after completing his fifty, quickly he lost his wicket. It was left with Darren Bravo at one end, while the Captain, Kieron Pollard arrives at the other. Darren Bravo's slow start made everyone furious on him. But, he changed his gears. Both took over the weak pace attack of Barbados Tridents. Knight Riders scored their 100 at the end of 14 overs. From There, at the end, the score, they posted on was 185/3. Pollard and Bravo, smacked on all parts of the ground. Other than praising this duo, the errors made by Tridents' pace attack, gave them a huge task. They bowled at fuller lengths, some full toss deliveries were bowled at the death, missing their yorkers and also bowled short balls to the big man, Kieron Pollard. This resulted them, with a bunch of runs to be posted. Darren Bravo, scored his fifty.

Barbados Tridents came into bat. Unlike, Knight Riders, Tridents have made a very good start, with Johnson Charles scoring a fine half century, right at the top. He scored it off just 32 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes. He made complete use of the powerplay. But, after power play, Knight Riders came back strong. During a chase, each and every players' contribution is important. But, other than Charles, none contributed much and their weakness in the middle order reflected here. It could have been a easy win but became a tough loss. Knight Riders' fielding were awesome. Corey Anderson were run out at a flash. At one end, Shai Hope were struggling to find his timing, whereas at the other, wickets were tumbling in the form of Mayers and a failed batting of Jonathan Carter. Situation seemed to grip even more tighter, at where Hope was dismissed with a beautiful delivery from Narine. Then, again, Captain Holder, who did well with the ball, tried hard and hard with the bat. He smashed Bravo's over, at 19th, but still it was too late. Knight Riders won the game by 19 runs, and claimed the top position with their unbeaten march. Colin Munro was awarded the Player of the Match, for his blistering 50 at the start, which gave a perfect start for Tribago Knight Riders.

Match 2 - Warriors VS Zouks

Both teams were playing, within a day gap. At one end, St.Lucia Zouks, mastered St. Kittis and Nevis Patriots, the team which is yet to find a win, in this tournament. Whereas, at the other, is the team which defended 118 against the Mighty Jamaica Tallawahs. So, both teams were off equal strength and one winning over the other, is a matter of greatness.

St. Lucia Zouks, have won the toss and decided to bat first with a bit surprise. They had their belief with defending totals. Andre Fletcher and new comer Kimani Melius are on the crease. Zouks made a poor start with losing 3 wickets inside power play. Tahir, and Greens were spinning the ball away from the batters and dismissing them with some well flighted deliveries. Even after powerplay, Zouks lost their wickets, with some extraordinary acrobatics on and around the field. Roston Chase, at one end, played an exceptionally well made innings of 66, with building the scores, but at other wickets fell as like a child from the top of a slider. Nabi, in the middle provided some assistance with 27(24). Imran Tahir picked three wicket haul, along with some good bowling by the Captain, Chris Green. Warriors quota of bowling at last three overs, made Zouks to get past 140. Zouks made 144/7 at the end of 20 overs. 

Warriors came into bat. Guyana Amazon Warriors were even more struggling than Zouks. They were 9/3 at the end of 5 overs. Kuggelejin and Nabi were so good in rattling the batting lineup of Warriors. It also shown the slowness of the wicket and proved the decision of St. Lucia Zouks at the toss to be precisely perfect. Pooran and Chanderpaul Hemraj were at the crease. They started off slowly and tried to build a partnership. This was the thing, which Tridents lacked in and succumbed to a tough loss. They built before Hemraj were dismissed by Kesrick Williams. They had 85 runs to score from 60 balls. Pooran, played with safe hands and built a fighting a fifty. The transformation of him from a pinch hitter to a responsible scorer, proved his capacity. They recovered from the tough situation and were placed with 30 runs from 3 overs. Kugglejin came into bowl and dismissed Keemo Paul with a slower one. He was instrumental in defending the score. At next over, Pooran was dismissed with a slower one from Kesrick Williams. The situation seemed to be down the wire with 13 needed from 6 balls. Chemar Holder came into bowl. Rutherford were at one end while Chris Green were at the other. At first ball, he dismissed Rutherford with a brilliant delivery, adding another pressure. Then, at the same over, the Captain, Chris Green were too dismissed and won the game for Zouks, with 10 runs. A pure, low scoring thriller and yet again, on the day's course, the team batting first had won the game. Roston Chase were awarded the Man of the Match.