CPL 2017, Match 27th, BTvSTS, Review: Dwayne Smith's destructive 103* ensures Stars end season winless

There are always moments in a match that shift the momentum altogether. Rahkeem Cornwall’s fancy 78 off 44 threatened to pull down Barbados Tridents’ majestic total of 195/4, but a short ball from skipper Kieron Pollard in the 16th over ruffled him up enough to be back in the dug-out ‘retired hurt’ in the 18th over. The St. Lucia Stars lost the game by 29 runs and in the process ended up becoming the first team to end a season without a single win.

Dwayne Smith rode on luck to deliver his second hundred of CPL 2017. He whacked eight smashing sixes and five boundaries and dominated the bowlers from the onset. Obed McCoy provided the first breakthrough for the Stars, as Nicholas Pooran lost his wicket for a well made 20-ball 32, with two sixes and four boundaries. 30-year old Chris Barnwell, who was a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the IPL, played a cameo towards the end and fetched 26 runs off 12 balls. But the difference between the two teams was the unbeaten knock by Smith, who played the role of the sheet anchor and stayed unbeaten till the end.

Cornwall stands out for the Stars

Cornwall was the pick of the bowlers for the Stars, as he scalped 2 wickets for 30 runs in his four overs. Skipper Shane Watson was taken all over the park, as he finished with none for 55 in his three overs, at an economy of 18.33. Chasing 196 for their maiden victory this season, the Stars lost their first wicket in the very first over of the match, when Andre Fletcher was caught by Eoin Morgan off Ravi Rampaul. Fletcher who started the innings with a bang, smacking a six and a boundary could not hold on to it, as Rampaul had the last laugh.

The Stars batting revolved around Cornwall, with the skipper getting out for a 17-ball 22 off the bowling of Wahab Riaz. Former skipper Darren Sammy too failed to do much as his 7-ball 13 was too little too late towards the end. Riaz bowled an outstanding spell and ended with 1/15 in his four overs.

Wayne Parnell too didn’t turn out to be much expensive, as he returned back with figures of 1/30 in his 4 overs. The Stars innings looked set at one stage with the scoreboard reading 100/2 in the 12th over but Johnson Charles’ dismissal by Pollard was followed by two more blows, and the innings derailed in the final stages. Opener Smith was awarded the player of the match for his blistering knock unbeaten 103*.

Brief Scores:

Barbados Tridents 195/4 in 20 overs (Smith 103*, Cornwall 2/30)

St Lucia Stars 166/4 in 20 overs (Cornwall 78, Riaz 1/15)

Barbados Tridents won by 29 runs