Russell's sixes, Shakib's 6 for 6
ESPNcricinfo presents the top five moments from the inaugural Caribbean Premier League
Renaldo Matadeen
26-Aug-2013
Shakib Al Hasan roars on his way to 6 for 6 against Trinidad & Tobago • Getty Images
Devon Thomas' catch of Dwayne Smith
Removing Smith off fellow Bajan Kemar Roach never looked as good as this. Thomas, known for his antics as a wicketkeeper usually for Leeward Islands, proved that plucking a ball out of the air in spectacular fashion was something not exclusive to baseball or the American National Football League. The fact that he took it leaping with his right hand stretched over his head made it much more dynamic. The nonchalant manner in which he performed this acrobatic feat left the crowd in disbelief.
Removing Smith off fellow Bajan Kemar Roach never looked as good as this. Thomas, known for his antics as a wicketkeeper usually for Leeward Islands, proved that plucking a ball out of the air in spectacular fashion was something not exclusive to baseball or the American National Football League. The fact that he took it leaping with his right hand stretched over his head made it much more dynamic. The nonchalant manner in which he performed this acrobatic feat left the crowd in disbelief.
Krishmar Santokie dismantling Chris Gayle's stumps
A perfectly pitched delivery. More than Gayle playing all over it, it was the ball beating the batsman comprehensively. Gayle was somewhat struggling to build his team's foundation in the CPL and Jamaica Tallawah's momentum was nowhere near the upswing as Guyana Amazon Warriors'. The Jamaican seamer Santokie was the focal point of Guyana's early-stage campaign and this wicket exemplified that. Gayle's look back at the stumps on his way out was priceless and Santokie knew this would be a scalp to remember.
A perfectly pitched delivery. More than Gayle playing all over it, it was the ball beating the batsman comprehensively. Gayle was somewhat struggling to build his team's foundation in the CPL and Jamaica Tallawah's momentum was nowhere near the upswing as Guyana Amazon Warriors'. The Jamaican seamer Santokie was the focal point of Guyana's early-stage campaign and this wicket exemplified that. Gayle's look back at the stumps on his way out was priceless and Santokie knew this would be a scalp to remember.
Ricky Ponting's verbal tussle with Tino Best
Best's exuberance and passion often gets the best of him, as the English would attest, and who better to prod at his strings than Ponting. Ponting's often been chastised by West Indian fans, not because of his skill as a player or captain, but by his on-field "extra-curriculars". As he and Best taunted each other, it was clear that one was playing mind games to get the other to react. Darren Sammy had to restrain Best but the Caribbean region surely enjoyed this exchange. Ponting's wry smile said it all.
Best's exuberance and passion often gets the best of him, as the English would attest, and who better to prod at his strings than Ponting. Ponting's often been chastised by West Indian fans, not because of his skill as a player or captain, but by his on-field "extra-curriculars". As he and Best taunted each other, it was clear that one was playing mind games to get the other to react. Darren Sammy had to restrain Best but the Caribbean region surely enjoyed this exchange. Ponting's wry smile said it all.
Andre Russell's 29* off 6
Seeing the second semi-final ending with three consecutive sixes was worth the price of admission. Russell was the leading six-hitter in the tournament with 16 and he pulled out shots from his arsenal at every juncture. These series of moments combined to form one of the most jovial sparks of the CPL and with each blow, Barbados captain Kieron Pollard's head dropped lower and lower. How the tables were turned with Russell administering Pollard a bit of his own medicine. Russell was one of the most consistently entertaining factors of the tournament.
Seeing the second semi-final ending with three consecutive sixes was worth the price of admission. Russell was the leading six-hitter in the tournament with 16 and he pulled out shots from his arsenal at every juncture. These series of moments combined to form one of the most jovial sparks of the CPL and with each blow, Barbados captain Kieron Pollard's head dropped lower and lower. How the tables were turned with Russell administering Pollard a bit of his own medicine. Russell was one of the most consistently entertaining factors of the tournament.
Shakib Al Hasan's sixth wicket
Shakib became the darling of the CPL with unbelievable figures of 6 for 6 against Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel. As he took his sixth wicket, the approval of the home crowd at Bridgetown roared through the night. Any one of these "superb six" could be counted as his most cherished. But it was his celebration on the final one that resonated the most. The CPL held a new appreciation for the Bangladeshi as he consigned Dwayne Bravo's men to defeat. As Bravo slumped, resigned to his crushing loss, the high-fives and smiles of the Barbados players relegated T&T fans into acknowledging how much the CPL would gain from these international stars.
Shakib became the darling of the CPL with unbelievable figures of 6 for 6 against Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel. As he took his sixth wicket, the approval of the home crowd at Bridgetown roared through the night. Any one of these "superb six" could be counted as his most cherished. But it was his celebration on the final one that resonated the most. The CPL held a new appreciation for the Bangladeshi as he consigned Dwayne Bravo's men to defeat. As Bravo slumped, resigned to his crushing loss, the high-fives and smiles of the Barbados players relegated T&T fans into acknowledging how much the CPL would gain from these international stars.
Renaldo Matadeen is a sportswriter and social media manager for ESPN Caribbean. He tweets here