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 captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and chose to field first, but Saint Lucia Kings, powered by the batting of Faf du Plessis and Sikandar Raza, scored a substantial 167/5 after 20 overs.
Trinbago Knight Riders began their chase scoring runs rapidly, but the spin bowling of Khary Pierre, Roston Chase and Sikandar Raza was ultimately their undoing as they lost frequent wickets and were bowled out for 113, falling 54 runs short of the target.
Openers Faf du Plessis and Johnson Charles would put on an 85 run partnership to provide a platform for the Saint Lucia Kings, du Plessis reaching his half century from just 33 balls before losing his wicket to an Andre Russell delivery.
Trinbago Knight Riders would then frustrate Saint Lucia Kings as their variation of bowlers kept the runs down, before Sikandar Raza led a counter-attack, scoring four boundaries before departing for 32. Dwayne Bravo and Ali Khan would bowl superbly at the end of the innings, combining to concede just 11 runs and taking three wickets across the final two overs, as the Saint Lucia Kings set a target of 168 to win.
There were early set backs for the Knight Riders, as they lost the experienced wickets of Martin Guptill, Chadwick Walton and Nicholas Pooran in the powerplay. Captain Kieron Pollard would provide a destructive cameo as he scored 34 off 15 balls and ensured they stayed ahead of the run rate, but wickets continued to fall, leaving the Knight Riders 86-6 after ten overs.
Saint Lucia Kings continued to utilize spin effectively; Khary Pierre was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets for 20 runs as the Knight Riders were dismissed for 113.
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.”
Trinbago Knight Riders, who are at the bottom of the standings will look to rebound in tomorrow evening’s match as they face off against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.