BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – An astonishing St Lucia Zouks collapse gifted Barbados Tridents a 24-run win in a do-or-die contest here Sunday night, and a place in the playoffs of the Caribbean Premier League.
Chasing an uncomplicated 142 for victory at Kensington Oval and a place in the next round, Zouks collapsed from 111 for four in the 16th over to 117 all out with eight balls to spare, losing their last six wickets for six runs in the space of 20 balls.
Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh was once again at the forefront of the hosts attack, grabbing four for 26 including three wickets in the 17th over to turn the result Tridents’ way.
Pacer Harry Gurney, in his fourth match this season after joining Tridents midway through their campaign, supported with three for 17.
Zouks’ batting was again disappointing, with Colin Ingram (25) and Viljoen (22) getting starts but failing to carrying on.
Their task could not have been any easier after their bowlers limited a struggling Tridents to a modest 141 for six off their 20 overs.
Opener Johnson Charles narrowly missed out on his third half-century of the campaign when he top-scored with 47 off 36 balls but only Justin Greaves, with an unbeaten 27, and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan, 22, provided support.
Opting to bat first, Tridents lost Alex Hales without scoring in the very first over when the Englishman miscued a slower ball from left-arm pacer Krishmar Santokie (2-25) to cover.
Charles then struck four fours and a couple of sixes as he inspired a 62-run, second wicket stand with Shakib who faced 21 balls and counted two fours.
They were lifting Tridents into a strong position when Shakib swept leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed and was caught at deep square in the ninth over.
His dismissal saw the innings lose momentum and the hosts managed only 70 runs from the last 10 overs, while surrendering four wickets cheaply.
In reply, Zouks started well when Rahkeem Cornwall (19) put on 27 off 21 balls for the first wicket with Andre Fletcher (9) but once they were separated, the visitors slipped to 40 for two in the fifth over.
South African Ingram hammered a couple of fours and sixes in a 17-ball knock, as he posted 37 for the third wicket with New Zealander Colin de Grandhomme (21), to put his side back in contention.
But with Zouks regaining their balance, Inrgam was caught and bowled off Shakib’s left-arm spin in the ninth over before de Grandhomme perished to a catch at backward point in the following over, paving the way for Walsh to once again weave his magic.
