Gayle, bowlers thwart Patriots for narrow win

Three key wickets from fast bowler Kesrick Williams and tight bowling in the middle overs helped Jamaica Tallawahs stave off St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for a five-run win in their CPL 2016 match in Basseterre. Tallawahs were also aided by a brisk fifty from captain Chris Gayle, who struck 51 off 36 balls, to help set Patriots a target of 154.

Patriots overcame the early loss of Evin Lewis in their chase with two substantial partnerships for the second and third wickets. Faf du Plessis, who struck 27 off 29 balls, was the common factor, sharing 39 for the second wicket with Lendl Simmons and then playing a foil to Jonathan Carter in a rapid partnership of 43 that came off 28 balls. Carter's 18-ball 27 included two sixes, and the pair helped Patriots narrow the equation down to 62 off 48 balls.

Their slump began at this stage. Carter and du Plessis fell in successive overs and Tallawahs choked the runs by conceding 26 between the 15th and 19th overs. Williams dismissed Thisara Perera and Brad Hodge in the 18th over and Dale Steyn got rid of Carlos Brathwaite for 1 at the start of the 19th over to leave Patriots needing 30 off the last six balls. Despite three consecutive sixes from wicketkeeper Devon Thomas, Patriots could only muster 24 runs. Williams, who played his first T20 since January 2013, ended with 3 for 23, while the rest of the Tallawahs attack, except Timroy Allen, took a wicket each.

The Tallawahs' innings was given direction by Gayle before Andre Russell provided a late flourish. Gayle paired with Kumar Sangakkara to add 48 runs for the second wicket, after Chadwick Walton fell in the first over for 3. By the time Gayle was dismissed, he had struck four fours and three sixes in his 51, but quick wickets in the middle overs had left Tallawahs at a shaky 109 for 5 in the 16th over. Russell provided the impetus with an unbeaten 34 off 20 deliveries. He slammed two sixes and a four in an 18-run over bowled by Krishmar Santokie and helped Tallawahs add 44 in the last four overs to climb to 153.