Faf du Plessis’ St Kitts and Nevis Patriots won for the first time in six matches, as they defeated Hashim Amla’s Trinbago Knight Riders by 34 runs.
The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are already guaranteed not to qualify for the playoffs, but their victory over the Knight Riders means the Knight Riders aren’t assured of making it themselves. They need to hope that either the Barbados Tridents lose their last group game, or they ensure they beat the Patriots when they lock horns again in Florida on Sunday.
Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla returned to the Americas after their fleeting appearance at the CSA Awards in Johannesburg, but neither players really stood out. It was Evin Lewis to do the damage for the Patriots, as the exciting 24-year-old smashed no less than eight sixes for his 79. Sixty-four of his runs came in boundaries.
Du Plessis hasn’t had a particularly good time of it in the Caribbean, and that poor run of form continued as he could only muster two from six deliveries. JJ Smuts played his part in ensuring they got off to a good start. His 16 off 14 was in a 65-run stand with Lewis, as they posted 180-5.
In response, Amla and Kiwi export Colin Munro were the only ones up for the fight, and it took a sharp piece of work in the field from Lewis to run Amla out for 33 just as he was starting get going. Munro continued his excellent run with 46 off just 28 balls, but the others struggled as they were bowled out for 146.
Photo: Ashley Allen/Sportsfile
