A CLASSY century from Martin Guptill propelled Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) to a 133-run victory over Barbados Royals in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Kensington Oval, Barbados on Wednesday night. It was the largest margin of victory in the 11-year history of the CPL.
Guptill, short of runs coming into the match, showed why he is a legendary New Zealand batsman. He started his innings slowly, but gradually grew in confidence to steer TKR to a massive 194/5 in 20 overs batting first. He struck one four and nine sixes in his innings, reaching his century with three deliveries remaining. Guptill, who ended on 100 not out off 58 balls, received ample support from captain Kieron Pollard as the pair added 108 runs for the third wicket. Pollard cracked 46 off 32 balls, belting one four and four sixes.
The total TKR posted did not look possible at one stage as openers Guptill and Mark Deyal were kept quiet early on.
They only got to five without loss after two overs, but gradually picked up the scoring rate.
Deyal broke the shackles when he struck a six over mid-wicket and in the next over Guptill swept off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall for six to get his first boundary of the innings.
Left-arm fast bowler Obed McCoy was treated with disdain as he conceded 12 runs in his first over, including a six by Deyal down the ground as TKR got to 37/0 after five overs. TKR's openers struggled last year and also got off to a slow start this season, so the partnership would have pleased TKR coach Phil Simmons.
Jason Holder got the breakthrough with the score on 41 as Deyal (27) could not keep out a yorker. Guptill started to grow in confidence picking a couple of boundaries.
Nicholas Pooran struck a four off Holder, but could not produce fireworks on this occasion as he mistimed a pull shot and was caught and bowled by leg spinner Qais Ahmad for only six. It was a key breakthrough for the Royals as Pooran belted 61 in a victory against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Sunday.
Guptill and Pollard's partnership did not get off to a flying start as spinners Ahmad and Roelef van der Merwe kept the pair quiet. Twenty runs then came off the next two overs with both Guptill and Pollard clearing the boundary as TKR reached 108/2 after 14 overs.
[caption id="attachment_1033004" align="alignnone" width="768"] Trinbago Knight Riders captain Keiron Pollard plays a shot against the Barbados Royals, on Wednesday, during the 2023 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League T20 match, at Kensington Oval, Barbados. - Trinbago Knight Riders[/caption]
In the 15th over as the runs started to flow, Guptill got his fifty off 40 balls. It was a productive over for TKR, as Ahmad conceded 22 runs with Guptill hitting two sixes in the over and Pollard belting a straight six.
Guptill, who was strong hitting on the leg side and down the ground, played the slog sweep multiple times. Pollard, who only scored 14 off his first 20 balls, started finding the fence often as the Royals bowlers were belted all over Kensington Oval.
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