Hashim Amla’s Trinbago Knight Riders are one step away from the CPL final after they beat David Miller’s St Lucia Zouks by five wickets.
The Trinbago Knight Riders are used to doing things the hard way and they will have to produce similar heroics to their title-winning performance from last year if they are to defend their title. After finishing fourth, they now meet the Jamaica Tallawahs in what is essentially a semi-final, with the Guyana Amazon Warriors waiting for the winners in the final.
The Zouks’ dream of a maiden title has come to an end despite their admirable resurgence during the business end of the group stages. Batting first, they posted 164-8, but David Miller failed to contribute meaningfully yet again. He leaves the tournament with just 127 runs from his eight innings, at an uncharacteristic strike rate of 115.45. Ronsford Beaton, who had taken one wicket in the nine matches leading up to this, performed when it mattered with 3-23.
Hashim Amla got the Knight Riders off to a rollicking start with two fours off the first two balls, but he only lasted three more balls for his 10. Brendon McCullum is finding his groove at just the right time. The ex-Kiwi captain, who scored 58 runs in his first seven games, has now posted 43 not out and 49 not out, the latter coming off 41 balls in the successful chase to see his side home with nine balls remaining.
Photo: Randy Brooks/Sportsfile
