CPL 2017, Match 28, JT v GAW: Walton-Ronchi record stand keeps Guyana afloat

Guyana Amazon Warriors’ bid to make it to the play offs received a realistic boost after Chadwick Walton took his side home in a scintillating fashion. Jamaica Tallawahs posted a competitive 149/7 in their assigned 20 overs after 30-year old Andre McCarthy and skipper Kumar Sangakkara forged a 79-run stand. In-form Sangakkara missed out a fifty this time but ensured a steady stand with a 31-ball 38, that saw him belt out two boundaries and a maximum. McCarthy went back to the pavilion in the 14th over, but by then he had top scored for his side- 44 runs off 35 balls, including 3 sixes and 4 boundaries.

The Tallahwahs lost the firm grip in the game and could manage only 29 runs in the final four overs. Sohail Tanvir was the pick of the bowlers for the Warriors, he finished his four overs with figures of 2/27. Rayad Emrit too chipped in with 2/29.

Record partnership

Chasing a fighting 150 runs to win, the Warriors lost pinch-hitter Tanvir in the very first over. But that was all the Jamaica boys could celebrate on. Walton and Luke Ronchi didn’t let any slip-up and added an unbeaten 135-run stand to complete a prolific win. Both the batsmen had their slice of luck, as each of them received a life in the 6th over of the match, the bowler with no luck turned out to be Mohammad Shami.

Walton fetched six sixes and eight boundaries for his 40-ball 84, which came at a strike rate of 210.00. Ronchi wasn’t far behind, as he scooped three biggies and plundered three fours to reach to 55 off just 29 balls. The partnership between them was also the highest of CPL 2017, and it received a few brownies from the Tallahwahs bowlers, as they bowled seven no-balls in total.

Free hits and sixes galore

Shami was the most economical bowler with an economy of 7, tells you the story of how well the two Warrior batsmen connected to the white leather. 27-year old Kesrick Williams would not like to recall this day, as he went for 26runs in over and ended with figures of 0/46 in his 2 overs. At one point, Williams was taken for three consecutive sixes by Walton, courtesy the free hits.

The Warriors reached their target with 57 balls to spare, taking their run-rate to 0.834. The Warriors are placed fourth in the points table, with 10 points out of 10 games. They are a neck ahead of Barbados Tridents, who are at 6 points with 2 games left. Tridents will need to beat St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and first-place Trinbago Knight Riders in their final two matches this weekend by comprehensive margins to overtake them and qualify for the play offs.

Brief Scores:

Jamaica Tallawahs 149/7 in 20 overs (McCarthy 44, Tanvir 2/27)

Guyana Amazon Warriors 150/1 in 10.3 overs (Walton 84, Thomas 1/32)

Guyana Amazon Warriors won by 9 wickets