CPL 2017, GAW v BT, Match 19 Review: Chadwick Walton's 92 seals the win for Warriors

Chadwick Walton’s 92 off 57 balls overshadowed the highest individual score of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2017, which interestingly was registered in this very game by 34-year-old Barbados Trident’s opener Dwayne Smith, as the Guyana Amazon Warriors sealed a 4-wicket win. Walton not only saw his team home but also leveled his side to Barbados, both sitting with four points in the table now. All-rounder Kieron Pollard‘s 4/16 nearly threatened to shift the momentum in Barbados’ favor but it was a little too late at the end.

Barbados couldn’t have demanded a better start after the Warriors’ skipper Martin Guptill asked the opposition to bat first. A 107-run stand for the first wicket between Smith and Kane Williamson made things look very easy. Especially, the manner in which veteran Smith piled up those runs, smashing five sixes and ten boundaries, scoring a 70-ball century. He was well supported by Williamson, who didn’t set his feet on the paddle but ensured a steady run rate.

Spinner Rashid Khan drew the first blood, picking up Williamson for a well made 43-ball 47 and pacer Sohail Tanvir’s three wickets towards the end hurt the Tridents bad. Tanvir ended with 3/40, as Pollard’s men could post just 159/4 after a rollicking start.

Chadwick crafts a fine knock

Chasing 160 for victory, 32-year-old Chadwick, who has represented West Indies in 8 ODIs and a couple of Test matches, didn’t look too shy to express himself. He went on top of the ball and connected most of the leather, that was thrown at him, pretty well. Guptill’s plot to promote pinch-hitter Tanvir up the order paid rich dividend, as the duo raced to 48 runs in just 4 overs.

Just like Smith, who got a couple of chances during his blistering knock, Chadwick too survived two close chances. Warriors got to their highest power play score in CPL 2017, even after losing two wickets in close succession. Chadwick was dismissed in the 17th over by skipper Pollard, but the damage was done.

The opener missed out on his ton by mere eight runs but a 57-ball 92 meant, the Warriors just needed a finishing touch. Captain Guptill, who demoted himself, played the knock of the finisher. Even though he could not finish the game off, as Pollard got his wicket, caught by Williamson; but the skipper’s 33-ball 27 was enough to get past the line.

Pollard four went in vain

The Warriors clinched the win with 5 balls to spare but at one stage it looked as if Chadwick’s 90 odd runs won’t be enough to see the chasers go home without a fight. Having failed with the bat, Pollard first got his opposite number (Guptill’s wicket). He then got the big fish Chadwick, at a crucial stage of the game.

The all-rounder didn’t just stop there. He then picked the sticks of Jason Mohammed and Keemo Paul in the penultimate over to stand a chance, but with a hit away from winning, the Warriors got a boundary and then a wide in the final over to earn the points on offer.

Brief Scores:

Barbados Tridents: 159/4 in 20 overs (Smith 100, Williamson 47; Tanvir 3/40)

Guyana Amazon Warriors: 160/6 in 19.1 overs (Walton 92; Pollard 4/16 )