CPL 2017, Match 24, SNP vs TKR, Review: Darren Bravo and McCullum pull off miraculous heist

The duo of Darren Bravo and Brendon McCullum seized victory from the jaws of defeat in a rain-curtailed game against the hosts St. Kitts in match 24 of Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Trinbago Knight Riders chased down the target of 88 in the sixth over in what was a six hitting feast for the spectators.

It was a clash between the table toppers on Wednesday which saw a tale of twists and turns thanks to rain and power failure in the stadium. Warner Park has produced some high scoring encounters this season so far and it lived up to its billing providing great entertainment in a stop-start game. As it has been a trend this season or say in most T20s, the visitors won the toss and chose to chase on a flat deck.

On their home ground, Gayle and Lewis opened the innings in grand style once again, the latter being the aggressor. Once Lewis was dismissed, the play stopped frequently, once due to power failure and then due to rain which forced the game to be reduced to 13 overs a side. Then Gayle took the matters into his own hands and continued his rich vein of form to score a magnificent 93 off just 47 deliveries.

The universe boss thumped every bowler that came in his way starting with a couple of sixes off Ashley Nurse. His innings comprised of 8 sixes and five boundaries as the home side cruised to a jaw dropping total of 162/3 in 13 overs. None of the bowlers were spared as they went for more than 10 runs an over. Only Sunil Narine and Ronsford Beaton picked a wicket each but not without conceding runs at 12 and 13.67 an over.

The Bravo-McCullum show

The Knight Riders were set a daunting total of 170 as Duckworth Lewis method was applied after the Gayle show. Brendon started off in blazing fashion as the veteran took Brathwaite to the cleaners in the second over of the chase. But soon they were dealt a severe blow as Narine and Colin Munro were dismissed in consecutive overs by Samuel Badree and Ben Hilfenhaus. Once again there was a rain interruption as TKR were reeling at 34/2 in 3.1 overs.

When play resumed after some time, the target was further reduced to 86 off six overs. Now the visitors required 52 off 17 balls which looked a tall order at that stage. What transpired after that was absolutely surreal. Darren Bravo and McCullum started hitting sixes at will. The left hander hit his first 3 balls out of the park after the resumption and the New Zealander carried it on in the next over as they took 23 off Nabi. That brought down the equation to just 10 off the final over. Bravo hit gigantic maximums again and took his team over the line.

The left-hander struck back to form in style as he scored 38 off just 10 deliveries with 6 sixes and Brendon McCullum hit 5 fours and 3 sixes on his way to a 14-ball 40. Bowlers from both the sides had a forgettable day as Hilfenhaus and Badree took a wicket each. A total of 23 sixes were hit in 18.2 overs in the match which has to be a record as far as curtailed matches are concerned.

Trinbago’s unbelievable victory sent their camp into ecstasy as Gayle and his men were left shell-shocked wondering what might have been. The victory has given the Knight Riders a cushion of 3 points ahead of Patriots now as they are sitting pretty at the top with 14 points from 8 games. Patriots, on the other hand, need not worry after this heartbreaking loss as they too have almost qualified for the playoffs.

Watch: Darren Bravo’s knock here:

Brief Scores

St. Kitts Nevis and Patriots 162/3 in 13 overs (C Gayle 93 (47b, 5×4, 8×6); E Lewis 39 (14b, 3×4, 4×6); Sunil Narine 1/36, Ronsford Beaton 1/41)

Trinbago Knight Riders 88/2 in 5.2 overs (B McCullum 40 (14b, 5×4, 3×6); D Bravo 38 (10b, 6×6); Ben Hilfenhaus 1/17, Samuel Badree 1/19)

Trinbago Knight Riders won the match by 8 wickets (DLS method)

Darren Bravo was adjudged Man of the Match.