TKR seek second win as they take on Tallawahs on Day 3

TRINBAGO Knight Riders (TKR) goes for its second consecutive Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 win when they face regional powerhouse Jamaica Tallawahs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Thursday from 5.30pm.

The Kieron Pollard-led unit recorded a perfect start to the 2020 tourney by defeating Guyana Amazon Warriors by four wickets in the opening fixture on Tuesday.

Jamaica Tallawahs, however, also secured an important five-wicket win against St Lucia Zouks in their tournament opener at the same venue on Wednesday.

Both teams boast a wealth of firepower with the bat and ball as the likes of all-rounders Dwayne Bravo, Pollard, Carlos Brathwaite and Andre Russell lock horns in an enticing day-three duel.

Sunil Narine shone brightest for TKR against the Guyana franchise as he picked up two for 19 in four overs and also led the charge with his knock of 50. Darren Bravo also chipped in with 30 runs.

Against St Lucia Zouks, Jamaica Tallawahs also produced strong performances from Man of the Match Asif Ali, who remained unbeaten on 47, while New Zealander Glenn Phillips got to 44.

This year, TKR has been bolstered with the presence of Bravo, who missed the entire 2019 competition due to a finger injury, and Narine, who also missed five matches last year courtesy a similar finger injury.

Although former Jamaica Tallawahs big-hitter Chris Gayle opted out of the 2020 CPL due to personal reasons, the Rovman Powell-led team proved they had what it took to overcome Darren Sammy’s St Lucia Zouks.

Contributions from Ali, Phillip, Powell (26), Brathwaite (18 not out) and bowlers Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/25) and Veerasammy Permaul (2/34) showed the Tallawahs have the depth to pose a stern challenge.

Before Thursday’s second match, reigning CPL champions Barbados Tridents goes for its second win when they battle St Lucia Zouks from 10am. The Jason Holder-led Tridents clinched a six-run victory in their opening encounter against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Tuesday.

A captain’s knock of 38 from Holder partnered with 37 from Kyle Mayers and a bottom order stance from Rashid Khan (26) and Mitchell Santner (20) steered the title-holders home.

Santner also led the charge for the Tridents bowling bagging 2/18 while Khan also picked up 2/27.