CPL: Narine, Hinds demolish Patriots

ARNOS VALE, St Vincent (CMC):

Sunil Narine and Terrance Hinds spun webs around the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to guide the Trinbago Knight Riders to a 19-run victory under the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern (DLS) method on Saturday.

Player of the Match Narine delivered a masterful spell, snaring three wickets for just seven runs in his four overs, while Hinds added pace and penetration with three for 33. Their combined effort restricted the Patriots to a modest 109 for nine in 20 overs at the Arnos Vale Ground after being sent in to bat.

The Knight Riders were cruising at 94 for two after 15 overs when heavy showers ended the contest, leaving them comfortably ahead on the DLS calculation.

The tone was set early by TKR’s bowlers, who dismantled the Patriots’ batting line-up. Andre Fletcher briefly threatened with a towering six off Akeal Hosein in the opening over, but Narine responded immediately, forcing an edge to slip. Two balls later, Kyle Mayers was trapped lbw for a duck, and Narine struck again to remove Athanaze, also without scoring, leaving the Patriots reeling at 16 for three.

Johnson Charles laboured to 21 from 25 balls before Jyd Goolie had him caught behind, reducing the score to 40 for four. Hinds then ripped through the middle order, dismissing captain Jason Holder and Navin Bidaisee in successive deliveries to leave the Patriots tottering at 47 for six.

Kevin Wickham top-scored with 38 off 44 balls, supported by Ashmead Nedd (18) and Obed McCoy (13 not out), as the visitors scrambled past three figures. Dominic Drakes chipped in with two wickets, including Wickham and Saurabh Netravalkar, to finish with two for 20.

Despite losing openers Alex Hales (9) and Colin Munro (17) to slip to 34 for two in the sixth over, the Knight Riders never looked troubled. Joshua Da Silva and Matthew Breetzke steadied the chase with a 54-run stand for the third wicket. Da Silva retired hurt after scoring 18, but Breetzke’s unbeaten 35 and Goolie’s support ensured there were no further alarms before the rains sealed victory.