BY FRANCIS JOSEPH
The Trinbago Knight Riders gave their supporters something to cheer about with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over the Barbados Royals at the Queen’s Park Oval on Friday night.That victory was the second for the Knight Riders, following three consecutive losses. Final scores: Barbados Royals 127 for nine; Knight Riders 128 for three.The Royals never got going as they were stifled early on by spinner Sunil Narine who returned with figures of two for 14 from his four overs.Akeal Hosein finally got his first wicket of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament with one for 27 off three overs. Usman Tariq was again economical with one for 11 off four overs.Kieron Pollard captured two for 19 off three overs.After an opening stand of 25, wickets started to tumble and the Royals never recovered. Opener Zachary Carter was their top scorer with 28, while captain Chris Green scored 27.Openers Colin Munro and Sunil Narine wasted no time in chasing that target of 128. They produced the best opening stand of the tournament (96) before Munro was caught for 37. Narine became the second wicket to fall after a blistering 55 which included one four and six sixes. It was his first fifty in over two years.When Narine was dismissed with the score at 102, the writing was on the wall. Skipper Nicholas Pooran scored just 12 and was dismissed with the score on 108. Pollard (12) and Jyd Goolie (6) ensured victory for the Knight Riders. Narine was later chosen as the Player of the Match.The victory gave the local supporters something to cheer about following Wednesday’s defeat to the St Lucia Kings by 36 runs at the Oval. The victory pushed the Knight Riders to four points and fifth on the standings after five matches.On Saturday night, the Knight Riders will face the improving Jamaica Kingsmen right here at the Oval. The Jamaican franchise has six points.
