Veteran opener Chris Gayle slammed his 22nd Twenty20 century but Evin Lewis unleashed the fastest half century in Caribbean Premier League history, as St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots completed the highest-ever run chase in franchise cricket, to stun Jamaica Tallawahs by four wickets in St. Kitts last week.
In pursuit of a CPL record of 242 runs at Warner Park, Patriots were propelled by Lewis’ 53 off 18 balls and a top score of 71 off 40 deliveries from fellow opener, Devon Thomas.
Englishman Laurie Evan chipped in with 41, while West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen struck an unbeaten 37 off 15 balls and Shamarah Brooks hit a cameo 27 off just 5 balls.
The results was still in the balance with Patriots on 188 for 5 after 15 overs but the host swiftly gathered 54 runs from the next two overs, Allen hitting the winning runs when he top-edged a short ball from pacer, Andre Russell to the boundary.
The victory was the first of the campaign for Patriots after losing their opening two encounters, but the results keep the Tallawahs with one win from three outings.
And over at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Friday night Trinbago Knight riders posted the highest ever told in CPL history, which is also incidentally the highest ever total in franchise cricket in the format as their batsmen went on a rampage to score 267 in their allotted 20 overs against Jamaica Tallulah’s. The Tallawahs did make a fight back but crumbled to a 41-run loss.
