Three sixes from Devon Thomas in the final over made a comfortable opening victory for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) look closer than it really was.The Tallawahs, through a half century from captain, Chris Gayle, and figures of 3-23 from Keswick Williams, relegated the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their second home loss in as many games.
The five-run victory was never in any real question, as the Patriots found themselves needing 30 runs from the last six balls. Despite three massive sixes from Thomas, it was never a areal possibility.
The Patriots looked to have started well when they decided to field and had the Tallawahs 4-1 with Chadwick Walton, going leg before for three off the bowling of Krishmar Santokie.
Enter Kumar Sangakarra who got to 26 from 21 balls and looked in fine form until he was run out by the combination os Samuel Badree and Evin Lewis.
All the while, Gayle was at the other end of the pitch, biding his time, bearing in mind the Tallawahs were still scoring scoring quickly at 52 for two in the seventh over.
The wickets of Rovman Powell, 4, and Shakib Al Hasan, 7, slowed the momentum but Gayle would accelerate to score 51 frm 36 deliveries before an unbeaten 34 from Andre Russell helped to make the score a respectable 153 for seven.
In the mix Imad Wasim played a good cameo, scoring 19 from 14 deliveries before he was run out.
In reply, the Patriots again started well, with Lendl Simmons looking ominous, scoring a run-a-ball 29. Unfortunately, that was to be the highest total and longest innings for the Patriots.
Simmons was sent back to the pavillion when he was bowled by Imad Wasim, while Lewis got a leading edge to be caught by NKrumah Bonner off te bowling of Williams for eight.
Patriots skipper Faf du Plessis looked dangerous but his innings of 27 came to an end when he was tricked by Jon Russ Jaggesar delivery that turned the wrong the way. The resulting leading edge provided a return catch to the bowler that was taken simply enough, even if there was some level difficulty in the chance.
Jonathan Carter also looked dangerous but at 27, he charged down the wicket to a delivery from Al Hasan and was easily stumped by Sangakarra.
That ended the contest as Williams would return to bag the wickets of Thisara Perera and Brad Hodge, before Dale Steyn removed the leg stump of Carlos Brathwaite quite unceremoniously.
Thomas then made things interesting by scoring 25 from seven, though the charge always seemed too little, too late.