Tridents crush Kings to end losing run

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados:

The Barbados Tridents roared back to form at Kensington Oval on Sunday night, snapping a four-game losing streak with a resounding eight-wicket victory over St. Lucia Kings in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 cricket competition.

The comprehensive win, which marks the Tridents’ third of the season and their second conquest of the Kings this year, was set up by a disciplined bowling unit before Quinton de Kock and Rivaldo Clarke orchestrated a composed chase to delight the home faithful.

Powerful performance

After being sent to bat, the Kings rode a flying powerplay performance from Kamil Pooran to race to 51 for one after six overs.

However, the momentum came crashing down when the wily Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck, dismissing the dangerous Pooran for 37, just six balls later.

That breakthrough triggered a stranglehold for the Tridents, as Mujeeb and Jakeem Pollard turned the screws on the Kings’ middle order, drying up the boundaries and stifling the run rate.

Roston Chase attempted to reignite the innings following Pooran’s departure with a defiant 34, but the Barbados bowlers maintained their vice-like grip.

Mujeeb ended as the pick of the bowlers with outstanding figures of three for 22 from his four overs, while Daniel Sams demonstrated his class with a miserly spell of two for 20.

The Kings’ death-over woes continued as they mustered just 29 runs while losing three wickets in the final five overs, limping to a modest 138 for six at the halfway mark.

Flying start

In reply, the Tridents’ chase got off to a flying start. Openers Brandon King and Zachary Carter put on a brisk 41-run stand to keep the required rate well within reach.

Chase provided the breakthrough for St Lucia by removing King for 22 and, soon after, hometown boy Joshua Bishop dismissed Carter, who had played a handy cameo of 32.

That brought Rivaldo Clarke to the crease alongside the experienced Quinton de Kock, and the duo initially showed caution as the Kings’ bowlers, spearheaded by Bishop and Charith Asalanka, attempted to replicate the Tridents’ earlier defensive tactics.

Anxious moments

Despite a few anxious moments, including a couple of lofted hits that fell short of the fielders, de Kock (47 not out) and Clarke (36 not out) held their nerve.

The pair paced the innings to perfection, slowly turning the screws back on the visitors. Their unbroken 76-run partnership ensured the Tridents cruised to victory at 139-2 with 13 balls to spare.

The Tridents will look to build on this momentum when they continue their homestand against the Patriots on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Kings must quickly regroup for their final group-stage fixture against the Warriors on Wednesday.