[UPDATED] Pollard bemoans 'irresponsible' TKR batting

TRINBAGO Knight Riders (TKR) were humbled on Saturday in the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), crashing to a 54-run defeat to the St Lucia Kings at Warner Park in St Kitts.

TKR, after finishing last in 2022, have again assembled a strong team on paper.

But their manner of defeat on Saturday would raise concerns as their attempts to hit sixes backfired spectacularly, reminiscent of many of their defeats in 2022.

After two matches, TKR have one point as their opening match on August 19 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots was abandoned because of rain in St Lucia.

After the match, TKR captain Kieron Pollard said the batsmen, including himself, must be smarter in how they play their innings. "We were there like horses in stables, just ready to let go and we came out and we did that. We just bolted out of the stables with no real understanding of what is needed, like we wanted to get over (the line) in ten overs."

TKR needed less than eight and a half runs per over chasing 168, but at times were batting too aggressive as many batsmen were dismissed hitting out.

"I will break it down to irresponsibility on all of our parts. There is no hiding. If there is one thing for sure we talk it as we see it," Pollard said.

He described TKR's aggressive approach at the crease as too expressive.

Pollard was satisfied that his bowlers limited the Kings to 167/5 because at one stage 200 looked possible. "Obviously pleased to pull them back. They got off to a very good start...It was a pretty decent wicket to bat on and I think they batted well in the powerplay."

Batting first, the Kings top order gave them a blistering start.

Captain Faf du Plessis and Johnson Charles, the leading scorer in CPL history, put on 85 for the first wicket. Du Plessis did the bulk of the scoring.

Medium pacer Andre Russell got the breakthrough when Du Plessis was caught by Akeal Hosein for 57 off 36 balls, an innings with eight fours and one six. Charles stuck around taking Kings past 100, before Russell removed him for 37 off 31 balls.

The Kings' innings lost momentum and with some impressive death bowling, led by Dwayne Bravo, limited Kings to 167/5 in 20 overs. Bravo ended with 2/31 in four overs and Russell picked up 2/28 in three overs. Sikandar Raza contributed 32.

In reply, TKR made a positive start with openers Martin Guptill and Mark Deyal putting on 33 inside three overs. However, Guptill (seven), Chadwick Walton (duck) and the in-form Nicholas Pooran (duck) all fell in quick succession as TKR were reduced to 41/3 after 4.4 overs.

A 41-run wicket partnership between Deyal and Pollard put TKR back into the contest.

The pair had TKR motoring nicely, but Pollard lost his cool in an attempt to hit Raza for three straight sixes, and was caught at long-on for 34 off 15 balls.

Deyal (33 off 19 balls) and Bravo (one) both fell leg-before in the ninth and tenth overs to put St Lucia in the ascendancy at 86 for six after ten overs.

Russell and Akeal Hosein tried to repair but the former was dismissed by former TKR spinner Khary Pierre as he searched for maximum runs.

The innings soon fell part and they were all out for 113 in 14.5 overs.

Doing the damage for the Kings was Pierre taking 4/20 in 3.5 overs. Off spinner Roston Chase (2/13) and Raza (2/31) took two wickets each.

Du Plessis played his last game of the season as he is scheduled to have surgery on his elbow. "Happy with the result. Sad to be leaving at a crucial stage in the tournament when you feel like the team can start doing some really good things in the tournament."

He said the team will be in capable hands with experienced players on the team. "Always for me is about pulling people in along the journey and try to ask questions...You use the resources that you have. Roston Chase has been great for me on the field, just speaking to him about local players and asking questions. Johnson Charles is great cricket brain, not a guy that says a lot, but a great thinker."

He also pointed to head coach Daren Sammy and Raza as leaders on the Kings team.

TKR, who are at the bottom of the standings, will play the Patriots on Sunday at Warner Park from 7 pm in their next match.

Summarised Scores:

ST LUCIA KINGS 167/5 (20 overs) - Faf du Plessis 57, Johnson Charles 37, Sikandar Raza 32; Andre Russell 2/28, Dwayne Bravo 2/31 vs TKR 113 (14.5 overs) - Kieron Pollard 34, Mark Deyal 33; Khary Pierre 4/20, Roston Chase 2/13, S Raza 2/31. Kings won by 54 runs.

This story was originally published with the title "Kings demolish TKR as old habits return" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

TRINBAGO Knight Riders were humbled on Saturday in the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, crashing to a 54-run defeat to the St Lucia Kings at Warner Park in St Kitts.

TKR, after finishing last in 2022, have again assembled a strong team on paper.

But their manner of defeat on Saturday would raise concerns as their attempts to hit sixes backfired spectacularly.

After two matches, TKR have one point as their opening match on August 19 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots was abandoned because of rain in St Lucia.

Batting first, the Kings seemed set to score close to 200 as their top order gave them a blistering start.

Captain Faf du Plessis and Johnson Charles, the leading scorer in CPL history, put on 85 for the first wicket. Du Plessis did the bulk of the scoring.

Medium pacer Andre Russell got the breakthrough when Du Plessis was caught by Akeal Hosein for 57 off 36 balls, an innings with eight fours and one six. Charles stuck around taking Kings past 100, before Russell removed him for 37 off 31 balls.

The Kings' innings lost momentum and with some impressive death bowling, led by Dwayne Bravo, limited Kings to 167/5 in 20 overs. Bravo ended with 2/31 in four overs and Russell picked up 2/28 in three overs.

In reply, TKR made a positive start with openers Martin Guptill and Mark Deyal putting on 33 inside three overs. However, Guptill (seven), Chadwick Walton (duck) and the in-form Nicholas Pooran (duck) all fell in quick succession as TKR were reduced to 41/3 after 4.4 overs. A 41-run wicket partnership between Deyal and Kieron Pollard put TKR back into the contest, but when the latter fell for 34 off 15 balls the innings fell part and they were all out for 113 in 14.5 overs.

Deyal struck 33 off 19 balls and doing the damage for the Kings was former TKR spinner Khary Pierre taking 4/20 in 3.5 overs. Off spinner Roston Chase (2/13) and Sikandar Raza (2/31) took two wickets each.

TKR, who are at the bottom of the standings, will play the Patriots on Sunday at Warner Park from 7 pm.

Summarised Scores:

ST LUCIA KINGS 167/5 (20 overs) (Faf du Plessis 57, Johnson Charles 37, Sikandar Raza 32; Andre Russell 2/28, Dwayne Bravo 2/31) vs TKR 113 (14.5 overs) (Kieron Pollard 34, Mark Deyal 33; Khary Pierre 4/20, Roston Chase 2/13, S Raza 2/31). Kings won by 54 runs.