Tridents capture CPL title after rain spoils Warriors chase

Basseterre (St. Kitts): Barbados Tridents beat Guyana Amazon Warriors to capture the 2014 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title, after rain spoiled an absorbing contest that appeared headed for an enthralling end here.

Set 153 for victory, Amazon Warriors were fighting back at 107 for four in the 16th over, when the rains arrived at Warner Saturday night to end the game prematurely, with Denesh Ramdin’s side eight runs behind on the Duckworth/Lewis method, reports CMC. At that stage, Amazon Warriors would have fancied their chances of still getting the 46 runs required of 25 deliveries left, but the weather never cooperated and Tridents were left to celebrate their maiden capture of the Caribbean Twenty20 title. For Amazon Warriors, it was their second straight year of heartbreak after they lost in the final of the inaugural tournament last year to Jamaica Tallawahs. The game was set up for a grand finish once Tridents, sent in by Amazon Warriors, gathered 152 for six off their 20 overs, thanks to half-centuries from opener Dwayne Smith who top-scored with 59 and Shoaib Malik, who stroked an unbeaten 55. Left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie was the main wicket-taker with three for 19 while off-spinner Sunil Narine claimed two for 20. Tridents were eight for two in the third over but recovered through good work from Smith and Shoaib, the latter voted Man-of-the-Match. In reply, Amazon Warriors innings stalled after they lost their two most prolific run-scorers, Lendl Simmons for 20 and New Zealander Martin Guptill for seven. Fast bowler Jason Holder bowled magnificently to pick up two for 18 from his four overs, a spell that rocked Amazon Warriors and accounted for top-scorer Mohammed Hafeez for 28. Jimmy Neesham departed a few balls later for 17, edging one behind as Amazon Warriors stumbled to 76 for four in the 13th over. Chris Barnwell, 17 not out, and Ramdin, 14 not out, then hammered a six each before the rains broke their hearts.