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TKR won by 18 runs

08:14 AM IST, 10:44 PM Local Time: A fine all-round performance from TKR as they continue their unbeaten streak against Saint Lucia Kings at Gros Islet! Usman Tariq starred for the visitors as his 2/20 played a key role in the side wrapping up a 18-run win.

Chasing 184 for victory, the opening duo of Tim Seifert and Johnson Charles provided an ideal start as they helped the Saint Lucia Kings get to 60/0 at the end of the Powerplay. A couple of quiet overs though saw Andre Russell benefitting as Tim Seifert holed out to deep extra-cover in the ninth over. The TKR spinners built on that breakthrough to create further pressure on the Kings’ batters. It paid off with Johnson Charles miscued an attempted big shot to extra-cover where Russell took the catch.

A couple of deliveries later, Roston Chase was also adjudged LBW off Akeal Hosein’s bowling as the Kings fell into a spot of bother. The big moment in the game came during the 15^th over when the dangerous Tim David was sent back courtesy a controversial DRS call as the TV umpire adjudged him caught-behind even as there was a gap between the bat and ball when the spike appeared. Thereafter, the Kings were always chasing the game while Usman Tariq ensured that their small hope also disappeared in the 18^th over by castling David Wiese. Ackeem Auguste came up with a fine cameo but it wasn’t enough as the Kings fell short by 18 runs.

Earlier in the match, Colin Munro continued his good form this season as he gave TKR an explosive start even as Alex Hales struggled at the other end. After an expensive first four overs, David Wiese brought himself into the attack in the 5^th over and struck with his very first delivery to remove Hales. Then, the visiting TKR side finished the Powerplay at 58/1.

There was a lull in the scoring for TKR after the field spread out while Roston Chase and Tabraiz Shamsi accounted for Keacy Carty and Munro respectively. At 78/3 after 10.2 overs, TKR needed a partnership and that is exactly what the world-class duo of Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard provided. Pollard, showed intent, from an early stage too to give Pooran time to settle down. In fact, the senior statesman dominated the partnership and went onto register his 64^th T20 fifty off 22 balls.

It was only in the 18^th over that Keon Gaston managed to break the 82-run partnership by dismissing Pooran who ended up with 34 off 30. Oshane Thomas went onto bowl a cracking penultimate over as well as he conceded just a single while also accounting for Pollard’s wicket. Gaston added another big scalp in the final over by getting rid of Andre Russell but the young McKenny Clarke struck a couple of sixes to take TKR to 183/7.

Kieron Pollard (Player of the Match): "Again I am saying that this surface is good for batting. We were playing not against the home side but also the home crowd. I am just enjoying cricket and I need a pinch to go forward. At this point of time, my cricket is all about enjoying and teaching. It is time to pass on my experience to the juniors.

I think it is a mixture of intelligence and skills. In young ages, I mad a lot of mistakes to mess up the games. We can take cricket as a difficult one and also an easy one. Pitches are not that great but you need to go there and make the most out of it. 

Playing in front of the Trinidad crowd is something that excites me. We have five games there and it will be good I hope."

David Wiese (Saint Lucia Kings Captain): "Wasn't a great performance from us in the field. The best players don't give many chances and Pollard took it away from us. Tight schedule, so there is no time to dwell on it. The wind could play a big factor. We are all professionals and can't afford to let go off many opportunities.

(On Alzarri Joseph) Unfortunately, he picked up a niggle and we couldn't risk due to the tight schedule. We will continue to monitor him. (About the home fans) It is always a pleasure to play in front of the home fans. Unfortunately, we couldn't get a win tonight but we will work hard to get something for them to celebrate."

Nicholas Pooran (Trinbago Knight Riders Captain): "I think the conditions here was tricky. In the last game we discussed about how to go about the shots. I felt that Polly gave us a nice momentum and we wanted to take the partnership as deep as possible. Nice to see Polly performing consistently.

Polly is one of the leading scorers in T20 cricket. He is a complete team man. Regardless of his age and his body, he is ready to step up. He has his role and I communicate with him a lot from behind the stumps. We share information. We have Akeal and Narine and other experienced guys.

This is an exciting time for us. We are coming back to Trinidad. We are coming back to the Brian Lara stadium. Get ready!"

So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj, my co-commentator, Saptak Sanyal and our scorer, Raju Khariya as we wrap up the coverage of this fixture. Do stay tuned to our network and join us for a lot more cricketing action later today!