Trinbago Knight Riders’ (TKR) Mark Deyal credited teammate Dwayne Bravo for inspiring his player of the match knock of 57 against St Lucia Kings on Sunday, which built the foundation to set up an exciting seven-wicket win, and a confirmed spot in next week’s Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League T20 playoffs.
At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, in front of a bumper crowd, Deyal and Irish right-handed batsman Lorcan Tucker (38 not out) combined for an 87-run partnership, with Andre Russell’s (29 not out) late fireworks, to chase down the Kings’ score of 167/3.
The trio led the charge and rallied to their third consecutive home victory by getting to 169/3 in 18.5 overs. The result affirmed their stance atop the standings on 13 points after nine matches.
Their current position guarantees them a top-two finish and two shots at qualifying for the September 24 final.
For this year’s tourney, Deyal has had fluctuating performances with the bat, but played a patient game on Sunday, and was able to notch his highest score (57) for the season.
After the match, he credited some earlier encouraging words from ex-TKR skipper Bravo for inspiring his fighting spirit.
“Tonight (Sunday), more responsibility was asked of myself, as we lost two (Martin Guptill, Nicholas Pooran) early wickets.
"Before the start, I had a good conversation with Dwayne and he told me that going into the rest of the tournament, he just wants to see me giving myself a little chance. Take a couple overs (to sit back and assess) because I have the ability to make up in the back end or the middle, so not to rush my cricket.
"I thought that really worked for me today. We got off to a slow start, but that partnership with myself and Tucker proved really good.”
[caption id="attachment_1034973" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Trinbago Knight Riders' Mark Deyal bats against the St Lucia Kings, during the Caribbean Premier League T20 match, on Sunday, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba. - Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]
Bravo has only featured for TKR twice this season, owing to a possible niggling injury, but seems to be making up for his absence on the pitch in the dressing room.
Sent in to bat, St Lucia were guided by Kiwi opener Colin Munro, who smashed an unbeaten 72, including three sixes and six fours.
Sean Williams finished on 34 not out and Roston Chase chipped in with 32. TKR fast bowler Jayden Seales was involved in all three dismissals as he celebrated his 22nd birthday on Sunday by claiming the first wicket, Johnson Charles (13).
He also caught Chase off spinner Waqar Salamkheil and St Lucia skipper Sikanda Raza (eight), courtesy Sunil Narine.
Set 168 for victory, TKR lost critical top-order batsmen Martin Guptill (16) and Nicholas Pooran (15), but Deyal and Lorcan kept the partisan crowd happy with a match-defining partnership.
The dismissal of Deyal only served to introduce Russell, who has been a closer for TKR this season.
Needing 30 runs from the final three overs, Tucker started with a four o
