10:48pm Right. That brings us to the end of our coverage for tonight. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we loved bringing it to you. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) saying goodbye on behalf of Binoy George and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Ciao!
Imran Tahir, now speaking as the Guyana Amazon Warriors captain: (On the atmosphere) It is very electrifying. Gives me goosebumps every time. Love the passion that they have. Just want to appreciate them and want to thank them for coming out. (Context of this win) It was a win at the end of the way. We had to beat whoever was dished out in front of us. They did not play their big players but for us to win, gives us confidence. The brand of cricket we have been playing, we played it today. We have to move forward, in a humble way. We are enjoying each other's success. (On Smith opening) I am the kind of guy who likes to take challenges. People might be surprised (with so many different opening combinations). I see them working hard and we try different plans. I am sure it gives confidence to the players as well and pleased and very happy for him (Smith). (Ready to go again tomorrow?) Once you see the atmosphere here, you feel you are ready to go again.
Kieron Pollard, Trinbago Knight Riders captain: I think we got what we wanted out of the game. Keacy coming in and scoring runs. So many guys missing but still we got to 175. CPL is about giving opportunities. From a batting perspective, we got what we wanted out of it (this game). (On the score) In hindsight, you can look at the last two overs, we only got 12 runs. If we had gotten another 15-20 runs….but getting 100 runs in the last 10 overs was good. If we were better in the field, we could have made it tighter. (On Guptill's injury) We have to analyse and see what happens with him. He pulled up after the first run. (On the bowling) Hinds coming in and him executing was good. Mark got a couple of overs in as well. All in all, it was a very good game of cricket barring the fielding.
Imran Tahir, in his Player of the Match interview, had this to say: (On his rich vein of form) It has been difficult here, especially when you bowl second. We did not have much dew to contend with in the first half. It is about experience, was trying to bowl dot balls. I am just pleased it came out the way I wanted and happier that I did my job for the team. (On bowling at the death) It is about bravery, I always believe in that. Did not want to give the ball to any of the junior guys to put pressure on them. All the boys bowled well. Odean was a little up-and-down but we are working on that.
10:31pm A clinical run-chase to consolidate the Warriors' position at the perch of the table. Ayub set the tone at the top of the order, with Smith following suit after the youngster was dismissed. Hope then registered his fourth fifty-plus score this season to guide the Warriors' run-chase and ensured that there weren't any hiccups.
As for the Knight Riders, well, the defence descended into a bit of a farce towards the end, with Walton and Alleyne rolling their arm over, even as Carmichael (a designated bowler) failed to get to the bowling crease. Prior to that, they dropped a ton of catches, with Smith benefitting most. Their out-cricket on the field, in general, left plenty to be desired and the Knight Riders would hope that they can bounce back from this when they take on the Warriors in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday.
Not sure if I have seen as strange an over as the last one. Here is Alleyne to bowl what could be the final over of this game
END OF OVER:18 | 7 Runs | GAW: 173/4 (4 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 9.61, RRR: 2.00)
- Dwaine Pretorius9 (8b)
- Shai Hope53 (36b)
- Chadwick Walton1-0-7-0
- Samit Patel4-0-48-0
Oh, hello. Here is Walton
Just 11 needed off 18, and the Knight Riders are on time, with respect to the overs, which is strange, considering they were four minutes short last over
END OF OVER:17 | 20 Runs | GAW: 166/4 (11 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.76, RRR: 3.66)
- Shai Hope51 (34b)
- Dwaine Pretorius5 (4b)
- Samit Patel4-0-48-0
- Akeal Hosein4-0-32-1
A bit of confusion with regards to the number of balls left in the over. The umpires realise there is still one ball left and now we are good to go
Deep point, deep cover and long off on the fence
Patel to bowl out. The Knight Riders still behind on the timer. 31 needed off 24 now
END OF OVER:16 | 6 Runs | GAW: 146/4 (31 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 9.12, RRR: 7.75)
- Shai Hope35 (28b)
- Dwaine Pretorius4 (3b)
- Akeal Hosein4-0-32-1
- Jayden Seales3-0-37-1