Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel are the new champion of Caribbean Primer League as they defeated defending champion Barbados Trident in front of home crowd at Queen’s Park Oval, Port Of Spain.
Buoyant on Cameroon Delport’s 50 off 38 balls and Kamran Akmal’s 60 off 46 balls, Trinidad scored mammoth 178 for five on board. In reply Barbados came short of 20 runs as they scored 158 runs losing just four wickets in 20 overs.
With Pollard and Holder, both known for their hitting prowess, were unbeaten; albeit failed to win the match. When Holder joined Pollard Barbados needed 69 runs from five over, but managed 40 runs; and had to leave the pitch with disappointment amidst the celebration of triumphant T&T Reds.
I Wish was there. I am dancing alone in my hotel room, but what the hell bring on the beat…V R THE CHAMPS. T&T & KKR…u can’t touch this!
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 27, 2015
Winning the toss Trinidad captain Dwayne Bravo elected to bat first. Trinidad did get off a good start as veteran Jacques Kallis was the first wicket to fall as he was clean bowled by Robin Peterson in the third over of the innings. Trinidad, however, later had a match defining 102 run second wicket partnership between Delport and Akmal.
In the 16th over of the match, Pollard brought Barbados back in the match – the only moment they showed their intent for the match- as Polard sent both Delport and Akmal in the dressing in two subsequent deliveries.
But, that did not prevent Dwayne Bravo played 15 balls 29 run blitz that coming into bat in the second of innings of the match Tridents appeared short.
Here they are with their trophy. Many, many, many congratulations to the best team at #CPL15: @TTRedSteel! pic.twitter.com/tgLOursJhy
— CPL T20 (@CPL) July 27, 2015
However, Dwayne Smith and Steve Taylor gave a perfect start to Trident’s chase; scored 47 runs in five over as Smith in particular blasted Bravo and Badree with sixes and four in his 30 balls 49 run innings. But, as usual Smith did not last long, he was bowled by Sulieman Benn. The second wicket partnership was also outstanding between Taylor and Kyle Corbin added another 38 runs in five over.
Barbados scored 85 runs losing two wickets in 9.3 overs. Captain Bravo, however, deployed spin from his armoury, as Barbados batsmen found it difficult to rotate the strike. 25 year old Corbin wasted 28 balls in his sluggish 20 run innings. When Corbin caught by Delport off Benn in the 14th over Barbados still had a good chance to cruise to the victory.
Losing the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq (21 off 18) in the subsequent over Pollard and Jason Holder , both are known for their power hitting prowess, but spinner Benn, Derone Davis and medium pacer Kevin Cooper did not let them for big shot. Both, Pollard and Holder were finally unbeaten scoring 20 each.
CHAMPIOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! THE #CPL15 CUP IS OURS!!!!!!!!!!!!! @TTRedSteel @iamsrk pic.twitter.com/Fw35wF3kmK
— KKRUniverse (@KKRUniverse) July 27, 2015