(CPL) – The second match of the inaugural CPL Esports Series saw Glenn Phillips of Jamaica Tallawahs take on Andre Fletcher of St Lucia Zouks at Sabina Park, and, despite his claims to have never played Cricket19 before, it was Phillips who emerged victorious in a stunning all-round display.
Phillips was put in to bat by Fletcher and the New Zealander took control of a digital version of himself and he was out of the gate like a shot, making 30 runs off the first over on his way to a match-winning score. Chadwick Walton fell early but the wicket of his opening partner did not slow Phillips down as he brought up a 10-ball fifty in the third over.
He used his crease to make it difficult for the bowler to bowl to his plans. It was 105-1 at the end of the fourth over and a single from the first ball of the fifth got Phillips back on strike for the last five balls of the innings. Phillips continued to plunder runs from the last over, finishing on 80 (19) and leaving Zouks a daunting 127 to win.
Fletcher got Zouks chase under way with some fireworks as he took control of himself and smashed 26. He looked well set to match Phillips’ efforts, but a mistimed shot saw him caught at extra cover. When Andre Russell had Rahkeem Cornwall caught and bowled in the next over it left Zouks in trouble, and it got worse when Darren Sammy was out first ball.
Sandeep Lamichhane went even better than Russell when he picked up a hat-trick, dismissing Mohammad Nabi, Roston Chase and Scott Kuggeleijn to leave Zouks chase in tatters at 41-6.
Some lusty blows from Chemar Holder brought some respectability to Zouks’ total as he made 34 (7) but it was too little too late as Tallawahs emerged winners by 28 runs.