Lewis blitz helps Patriots storm past Warriors into CPL final
Dwayne Bravo's decision to bowl was justified by a superb collective bowling effort
Dwayne Bravo's decision to bowl was justified by a superb collective bowling effort
Scorer: Binoy George | Commentator: Vishal Dikshit
7.14pm That's all we have from the second semi-final. We will have the final coverage starting for you in just over 12 hours, don't forget to tune in for that because we are going to have a new CPL champion. Until then it's goodbye and good luck from me, Vishal Dikshit, Peter Della Penna, and Binoy George. Stay safe wherever you are.
Bravo: The plan was simple, we had to try and out-think them. It's a pressure game. We have a lot of experience in our dressing room. We wanted to put them under pressure, and we wanted to chase. At half time we were happy and comfortable in the dressing room. Lewis showed his class and so did Chris. Apart from one or two overs, it went well. I just tried to keep my composure and support my team. At half time they thought they had momentum but we knew we could chase this down. When I made a move (to this team), I wanted to challenge myself differently and build a team. I wanted to make a team that could compete and win the trophy. So I'm very happy and proud of the team. I got the challenge I wanted. There's a lot of talks and banter between the teams already (laughs), it's going to be a tough final.
Pooran: Tough loss. I think experience won today and our young bowlers have a lot to take from this. I hope they come back stronger next year. We were happy with anything over 160 but today wasn't our day and we paid the price for it. A lot of youngsters put their hands up and showed what they can do. There's some inexperience so I hope they learn and come back stronger.
Evin Lewis is the Player of the Match: I am hungry to do good. I wanted rest because I had a few niggles and I wanted to come back stronger. Gayle can go after it, I can go after it, we can go after it together. When Gayle was going after it, made it easy for me. Bravo keeps it simple as captain and he wanted me to bat deep today, and that's what I did.
6.58pm Evin Lewis is pupped, he thumps his chest with passion, Pooran applauds close by and the two batters go across for a hug. So we have the final line-up: it's going to be St Lucia Kings vs St Kitts and Nevis Patriots tomorrow morning, which confirms once again that we are going to have a new CPL champion. Patriots would not have been too happy with themselves while bowling in the end overs, and Warriors got to a challenging total. From thereon, Patriots didn't give Warriors even a sniff. A rapid fifty opening stand after Gayle's onslaught, and then Lewis took over to treat the bowling with such disdain with his meaty blows. What a way to come back for him. He finishes the match and is the Player of the Match.
Will Lewis hit the winning runs?
Just a matter of time now. Five away, and here comes Hemraj for the first time today
Just one more shot away now from the final berth
Dwayne Bravo's decision to bowl was justified by a superb collective bowling effort
Fitness permitting, Evin Lewis should be back for the Patriots after missing their last league fixture