FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Port of Spain, Trinidad. 29 August 2017

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is now approaching the finals week which will take place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. The top four teams in the standings will be competing for two available spots in the final on 9 September 2017. The structure for the final four matches in Trinidad are shown below.

The match on 5 September will see the top two teams from the group stage play each other in the Playoff. The winner of this game will qualify automatically for the final which takes place on 9 September meaning that the Knight Riders are just one win away from a place in the final.

The teams that finish third and fourth will then play each other on 6 September in Elminator 1. The winner of this match will play the loser of the Playoff on 7 September.

The winner of the Eliminator 2 on 7 September will play the victors from Playoff in the final on 9 September.

Ticket Outlets:

• Queens’ Park Box office, Elizabeth St, WoodBrook
• National Cricket Center next to the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
• Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba

Tickets available online from: http://www.kyazoonga.com/matches/finals

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE: First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Combining broadcast and digital viewership over 149 million fans watched the 2016 season to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Jamaica Tallawahs are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Trinbago Knight Riders. The 2017 tournament will run from 4 August – 9 September 2017. For further information visit www.cplt20.com.

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For further information please contact:

Peter Miller

Mobile: +447769119636

Caribbean Mobile: + 1 (758) 729 2012

Head of PR and Communications

2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League – Match Report 25

Guyana Amazon Warriors 158-6 (Mohammad 42, Fudadin 27, Hosein 2-19) beat Barbados Tridents 59 (Hosein 17, Tanvir 5-3, Rashid 3-15) by 99 runs

One of the all-time great spells of T20 bowling from Sohail Tanvir propelled the Guyana Amazon Warriors to a huge 99 run victory over Barbados Tridents in Match 25 of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). 

Defending 159 Tanvir removed Kane Williamson, Dwayne Smith, Eoin Morgan and Kieron Pollard in a scintillating spell of swing bowling which left the Tridents 13-5. They were bowled out for 59 in just 13.4 overs, the second lowest Hero CPL total of all time. Tanvir finished with 5 for 3 – the second-best figures in the history of domestic T20 in the Caribbean.

Bowling from over the wicket, Tanvir immediately found swing across the bat and beat Williamson four times in a row before a thick edge flew to third man. In his next over Smith’s outside edge was found with a delivery similar to those that beat Williamson’s. The Amazon Warriors promoted Akeal Hosein and Imran Khan to three and four. In the fourth over Khan was caught looking to attack Roshon Primus who was bowling from the other end, leaving the score 13-3.

It was in Tanvir’s third over that his spell was transformed from good to great. First he trapped the left-handed Morgan leg before wicket for a first ball duck with a ball that jagged sharply in off the pitch and then the very next ball he induced an edge from Pollard outside off stump. Tanvir couldn’t take a hat-trick but his spell of 3-1-2-4 had gutted the Tridents top-order.

When the players returned following a brief rain delay, the Tridents’ last hope, Nicolas Pooran, picked out long off against Rashid Khan, leaving the Tridents 31 for 6. The Tridents lower order mounted little resistance.  Rashid finished with 3 for 15 from 3.4 overs and Tanvir had time to return and collect his five-wicket haul with his final delivery, finishing with astonishing figures of 4-1-3-5.

Earlier in the evening after being put into bat by the Tridents, the Amazon Warriors started aggressively but found themselves in trouble at 30 for 2 after 3.4 overs with both Tanvir and Chadwick Walton caught in the deep. Luke Ronchi was unperturbed by the early wickets though and blitzed a quick-fire 24 from just 13 balls to take them to 68 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay.

The introduction of spin slowed the Amazon Warriors, who lost Ronchi to the second ball of the seventh over, bowled by a Khan googly and in the eighth over Gajanand Singh also departed as a top-edge sweep off Hosein was caught at point.

After a brief rain delay the Amazon Warriors struggled to get their innings moving with one over of 15 off Pollard a lone bright spot. Otherwise the spin of Khan and Hosein tied them down. Together they took 3 for 38 from their eight overs. Assad Fudadin fell in the 15th over for battling 27 off 28.

The Amazon Warriors finally got moving in the eighteenth over when Ravi Rampaul was taken for 15 by Jason Mohammad who edged two boundaries behind the wicket and nailed a straight six before being caught attempting to hit a second. Two big sixes from Primus off Wahab Riaz in the 19th and a last ball four off Wayne Parnell lifted the Amazon Warriors to 158 for 8.

Upcoming Fixtures

Wednesday, Jamaica Tallawahs v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Kingston, 6.00pm

Thursday, Barbados Tridents v St Lucia Stars, Bridgetown, 6.00pm

For images from this match visit https://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyisports?nav=pr538082992 where they can be downloaded and used for free. Credit: CPL via Getty Images.

For further information please contact:

Peter Miller 

Mobile: +447769119636

Caribbean Mobile: + 1 (758) 729 2012

Head of PR and Communications

Hero Caribbean Premier League 

With just weeks to go before the 2017-2018 school year begins, Airy Castle Primary School in St Thomas is working hard to have things returned to normal.

Structural repairs to the block that housed its library, computer lab/resource room, and canteen, which had been razed back in February, are to begin this week. Principal Dawn Graham told the Jamaica Observer on Friday.

Work is expected to be completed in 12 weeks.

The school lost over 2,000 books, 21 computers, three refrigerators, pots, plates, and other valuables in the blaze.

In response to the crisis, the school launched the Airy Castle Primary School Resource Equipping Project to raise funds and other contributions for rebuilding. Among the injections was a $200,000 grant from Digicel Foundation through its Mek-A-Muckle programme.

The school has purchased teaching and learning materials that will enrich the process by providing hands-on experience for the tactile, auditory, and visual learners. They include a mobile projector, compact disc player as well as maths and literacy manipulatives. The aim, Graham said, is to improve numeracy and literacy skills for the 218 students on roll.

“The renovation project will provide alternative methods of enhancing the learning experience, while reducing the emphasis on students simply memorising facts,” the principal said.

“The new building will [also] serve as the library/resource room. Selected community members, who sometimes volunteer their service to the school, will be trained alongside teachers and students on the proper use of the resources. This will foster a feeling of ownership, restored hope and responsibility among community members for the new and restored resource materials,” she added.

Digicel Foundation explained why it got involved.

“Nothing is more important to us than supporting Airy Castle in its time of need,” said CEO Dane Richardson. “The school serves more than just students on roll, it supports members of the surrounding farming community who also depend on the facilities that were affected by the fire. That’s why we’ve stepped in to help restore hope.”

Other contributions have come from the Sugar Transformation Unit of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries — which has donated 14 computers along with furniture needed for the computer lab — and the Terrence Foster Foundation, which donated some kitchen supplies and staged a back-to-school treat at which over 200 students received backpacks with school supplies.

Graham also indicated that several more entities, including the Ministry of Education and Guardian General, have committed to donating specific things once the building is restored.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/career-education/hope-for-airy-castle_108962?profile=1286&template=MobileArticle

2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League – Match Report 24

Trinbago Knight Riders 208-6 (McCullum 91, Munro 42, Powell 2-38) beat Jamaica TallawahS 172-7 (Sangakkara 53, Simmons 32, Searles 3-27) by 36 runs

A brilliant 91 from Brendon McCullum and a composed bowling performance from the Trinbago Knight Riders set up a 36-run victory over Jamaica Tallawahs in Match 24 of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). McCullum’s explosive 91 helped the Knight Riders equal the highest score this season of 208 – a total that proved too many for the Tallawahs despite a good batting pitch. 

After being put into bat the Knight Riders innings got off to the worst possible start when Sunil Narine picked out mid-off from the first ball of the innings, bowled by Krishmar Santokie. This season the Knight Riders have not allowed early wickets to inhibit their stroke-play and here was no different. Through a mixture of poor bowling and excellent batting McCullum and Colin Munro hit four boundaries each in the PowerPlay, taking the Knight Riders to 58 for 1 after six overs.

The end of the field restrictions did not slow the Knight Riders who took 34 off the three overs immediately after the PowerPlay, hitting one boundary an over and running proactively. A partnership of 92 was ended off the last ball of the ninth over when Munro mis-timed Rovman Powell to long-on. Darren Bravo hit the last ball of the tenth over for six to take the Knight Riders to 100 for 2 at the halfway stage.

The second half of the innings brought no letup in the scoring rate. A single on the off side took McCullum to his fifty off 35 balls. His next scoring shot was an outrageous ramp shot off Odean Smith that went for six. An explosive cameo from Darren Bravo of 28 off 13 balls propelled the Knight Riders through the late middle overs. After 15 overs they were 156 for 3.

The powerful Robbie Frylink only made 15 off 10 before holing out to long-on. With McCullum approaching his century he was starved of the strike before eventually falling for 91 as he picked out long off against Williams. A frenetic finish saw the Knight Riders blitz 17 off the last seven balls to end with 208.

In pursuit of 209 the Tallawahs innings got off to a disastrous start when Glenn Phillips was expertly stumped by Dinesh Ramdin after Nikita Miller’s second ball slid down the leg side. Kumar Sangakkara responded to the loss of the early wicket in emphatic fashion hitting four fours in his first ten balls before an audacious inside out drive over cover off Narine for six. Two tight overs followed but a critical sixth over was taken for 19 by Lendl Simmons, leaving the Tallawahs 61-1 after six overs and well and truly in the chase.

Sangakkara was lucky to be dropped three times—one only a half chance—early on in his innings, but he still had to capitalise on his good fortune. A second six off the last ball of Narine’s second over took the Tallawahs to 80-1 after 8 overs and a swivel four took Sangakkara to his fifty. An attempted ramp off Frylink was one shot too many and he was bowled for a superb 53. The very next ball Simmons edged a leg cutter from Javon Searles through to Ramdin and the Knight Riders were in command once more.

A sparky cameo of 21 off 12 balls from Andre McCarthy rekindled Tallawahs hopes but they needed more than just cameos. 33 came from the four overs between 12 and 16 leaving the Tallawahs requiring an unlikely 60 from 24 balls. It was then that two wickets in two balls from Searles, Mahmudullah caught for a painstaking 6 off 11 and then the key man of Powell caught behind, all but ended the match. Defeat for the Tallawahs means that they have still not qualified for the Play Off stage with Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors in pursuit.

Upcoming Fixtures

Tuesday – Barbados Tridents v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Bridgetown, 6.00pm

Wednesday – Jamaica Tallawahs v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Kingston, 6.00pm

For images from this match visit https://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyisports?nav=pr538082992 where they can be downloaded and used for free. Credit: CPL via Getty Images.

For further information please contact:

Peter Miller 

UK Mobile: +447769119636

Caribbean Mobile: + 1 (758) 729 2012

Head of PR and Communications

Hero Caribbean Premier League 

2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League – Match Report 23

Jamaica Tallawahs 176-4 (Sangakkara 74*, McCarthy 36, Cornwall 1-20) beat St Lucia Stars 172-8 (Watson 80, Charles 20, Mathurin 2-26) by six wickets

A calm fifty from Kumar Sangakkara guided Jamaica Tallawahs to a six victory against St Lucia Stars in Match 23 of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Sangakkara’s unbeaten 74 marshalled the Tallawahs to a venue-record run-chase as they supassed the Stars’ innings of 172 for 8, who had Shane Watson’s 80 to thank for their imposing total.   

Sangakkara was fortunate to be dropped twice, but his composure helped negotiate a steep chase in which the run rate climbed to nearly ten runs per over.

The Tallawahs run-chase was given an early boost by the inaccuracy of the Stars bowlers who delivered six wides in the first 2.3 overs, costing 14 runs. Lendl Simmons hit one magnificent straight six before he was trapped lbw by a full straight ball from Jerome Taylor. Some quick footwork and two straight sixes from Glenn Phillips helped lift the Tallawahs to 52 for 1 after six overs.

Aside from those two sixes and a four, Phillips struggled to rotate the strike and was eventually bowled by Rahkeem Cornwall, chopping onto his stumps. Cornwall bowled brilliantly, maintaining a tight line and a pace that extracted turn and bounce from the surface. His four overs, which cost just 20, increased the required rate to 9.25 by the end of his spell with Sangakkara and Andre McCarthy being forced to work hard for their runs.

A period of sloppy play from the Stars then released the pressure. After Sangakkara manufactured a four off Watson, he was gifted another by Kyle Mayers. Three simple dropped catches within seven balls, two of Sangakkara and one of McCarthy were also missed. Two brilliant straight sixes from those batsmen then put the Tallawahs in charge once more, requiring 33 off 24.

Despite McCarthy falling to Watson for a composed 36 the Tallawahs had no problems in getting over the line with Sangakkara punishing some errors in length and Rovman Powell clubbing a huge six. The victory takes the Tallawahs four points clear of fourth place and in a good position to qualify for the play offs.

Earlier in the evening the Stars were put into bat and promoted Rahkeem Cornwall to open. The move was well-intentioned but didn’t work. After a tight start from the Tallawahs, Cornwall failed to pick a Krishmar Santokie slower ball and was caught at long off. The control of the Tallawahs pace bowlers forced Andre Fletcher to attack the first over of spin in the last over of the Powerplay. When Gary Mathurin cleverly held the ball back Fletcher mis-timed it to long on to leave the Stars 35 for 2 after six. Three overs later Marlon Samuels fell too, when he heaved across the line against Kesrick Williams and was bowled.

A partnership of 41 off 30 balls between Shane Watson and Johnson Charles finally gave the Stars innings some impetus. It was a partnership that owed a considerable amount to fortune with Tallawahs dropping three straightforward chances in the field: Watson twice and Charles once. The drop of Charles was not too costly, with him picking out mid-wicket off Mathurin shortly after for 20 off 18. Watson however, made the Tallawahs pay.

After a hesitant start took Watson to 23 off 20, an emphatic pull shot for six off Williams seemed to get him going. Watson was quick to pick up length and peppered the leg side boundary as he reached his fifty off 30 balls. With four overs remaining the Stars were 130 for 4 and the match was finely poised.

Consecutive sixes off Mohammad Sami by Watson helped take 14 from the 17th over. The wicket of Darren Sammy, duped by a slower ball from Williams, set the Stars expectations back but Watson continued on unperturbed, striking another pulled four and a brilliant straight six before falling to a slower ball from Santokie. A huge six from Kyle Mayers in the final over elevated the Stars to 172 for 8 from their 20 overs – a total that demanded that venue-record chase from the Tallawahs for them to claim victory.

Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday Jamaica Tallawahs v Trinbago Knight Riders, Sabina Park, 8.00pm

Tuesday Barbados Tridents v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Bridgetown, 6.00pm

For images from this match visit https://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyisports?nav=pr538082992 where they can be downloaded and used for free. Credit: CPL via Getty Images.

For further information please contact:

Peter Miller 

Mobile: +447769119636

Caribbean Mobile: + 1 (758) 729 2012

Head of PR and Communications

Hero Caribbean Premier League 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Georgetown, Guyana 25^th August 2017

The Guyana Amazon Warriors have replaced their Captain and opening batsman, Martin Guptill with fellow New Zealander, and wicketkeeper/ batsman, Luke Ronchi for the remainder of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament.

Unfortunately, Guptill has to return to New Zealand because of an important family health matter and as such the Guyana Amazon Warriors team will be without their appointed Captain for the rest of the 2017 Hero CPL.

Ronchi has just completed his stint in the Natwest T20 Blast in England where he played with Leicestershire and is one of the top ten run scorers in that tournament with 429 runs at a strike rate of 180.25.

Omar Khan, Operations Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors said: “It’s unfortunate and hugely disappointed to lose Martin at this stage of the Tournament but we empathize with his situation and he has our full support as he return home to his family. We welcome Luke to the Guyana Amazon Warriors family and his wealth of experience and explosive batting in this format will certainly be an asset to our team.”

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Since its inception in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Over 149 million fans watched the 2016 season, combining broadcast and digital viewership, to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Jamaica Tallawahs are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Trinbago Knight Riders. The 2017 tournament will run from 4 August – 9 September 2017. For further information visitwww.cplt20.com.

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For further information please contact:

Peter Miller

Mobile: +447769119636

Caribbean Mobile: + 1 (758) 729 2012

Head of PR and Communications

Hero Caribbean Premier League

WESTERN BUREAU:

Jamaican-Canadian owned company, Kisko Products, has gifted the people of Lower Buxton in St Ann with a basic school valued at $7.6 million.

The school – which will house over 33 students, three classrooms, an office, a sick bay, a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, as well as student and staff bathrooms – was constructed with the help of Food For The Poor and Helping Hands Jamaica, which is also based in Toronto, Canada.

The early-childhood education institution is part of the Lower Buxton Primary School Infant Department and was constructed in three days with the help of Kisko staff who travelled all the way from Canada to assist with the project.

“As Christians, we are called to give back,” president of Kisko, Mark Josephs told The Gleaner, explaining that he and his family are setting a firm foundation in relation to Jamaica’s early-childhood education.

“We are doing our part in the society, because we have been blessed and are also privy to the impact that education has had on the lives touched.”

Inspire Others

No stranger to funding charity projects on the island, this is the second school Kisko has built on the island, the first being the Kinloss Basic in Trelawny two years ago.

Their inspiration has spread to its staff members, moving them to give back. Josephs and his mother Glenor are hoping other Jamaican-owned companies doing well overseas will be inspired to participate in positive projects that have the capacity to make a difference to the lives of the less fortunate.

“It was heartening to be able to change the environment that the students had become accustomed to. Many were unable to attend school, because there was no space for them. That no longer exist with this new facility,” stated the matriarch of the 40-year-old organisation.

Their efforts were lauded by Food For The Poor’s project coordinator, Marcus Irons, who said the company had come this far because of their faith in God and the entrenched belief that it is not all about making money.

Chairman of the school board, Jasper Lawrence, described the gift to the community as Christ-like compassion, one that transcends barriers.

“This investment is not only in the structure, but in the quality of life of generations to come,” stated Lawrence, adding that the greatest appreciation the beneficiaries could show is to genuinely care for the facility.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170825/lower-buxton-gets-basic-school-canadian-company

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bridgetown, Barbados. 24 August 2017

The Barbados Tridents have called Eoin Morgan, England ODI and T20 captain, into their squad for the remainder of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Morgan has played 185 ODIs and 69 T20 internationals scoring more than 7000 runs in those formats. He has been the man in charge of the sea-change in English fortunes in limited overs cricket and captained England to the final of the 2016 ICC World T20.

Morgan will arrive in Barbados in time for the team’s home leg of the 2017 Hero CPL. His first match will be against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on 29 August at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown.

Robin Singh, Head Coach of the Tridents said: “If we are to claim our second Hero CPL title we need proven match winners. We have that in Eoin who is not only one of the best white-ball batsmen in the world but also a fantastic presence – both on and off the field.”

Speaking of his upcoming arrival at Hero CPL Eoin Morgan said:

“It’s amazing to be called up by the Tridents. I love coming to Barbados to play cricket. It is such an iconic place where all the greats have played and to get the opportunity to play in such a big tournament is really an honour. I have always wanted to come to Hero CPL, I can’t wait to get there.” 

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE: First started in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Combining broadcast and digital viewership over 149 million fans watched the 2016 season to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Jamaica Tallawahs are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Trinbago Knight Riders. The 2017 tournament will run from 4 August – 9 September 2017. For further information visit www.cplt20.com.

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For further information please contact:

Peter Miller

Mobile: +447769119636

Caribbean Mobile: + 1 (758) 729 2012

Head of PR and Communications

Hero Caribbean Premier League

2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League – Match Report 22

Trinbago Knight Riders 88-2 (McCullum 40, Darren Bravo 38, Hilfenhaus 17-1) beat St Kitts & Nevis Patriots 162-3 (Gayle 93, Lewis 39, Narine 36-1) by 8 wickets with 4 balls remaining (DLS method)

The Trinbago Knight Riders extended their lead at the top of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League table, after a rain affected victory over second place St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Despite both teams having already qualified for the next stage, there was no shortage of spice in this encounter between Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo’s assembled teams. Some astonishing late-hitting from Darren Bravo saw the Knight Riders across the line, despite a magnificent 93 from Patriots captain Gayle, Trinbago stretching the gap to their rivals in second place to 3 points.

After Dwayne Bravo won the toss and elected to bowl, the Patriots openers started brightly. Evin Lewis set off particularly sharply, blasting both Ronsford Beaton and Sunil Narine over the rope in the opening overs. Debuting spinner Ashley Nurse escaped Lewis’ power, but the same could certainly not be said for fellow spinner Narine, who conceded 27 in his two powerplay overs.

Young quick Beaton conceded 19 in one over, Gayle hitting him cleanly down the ground, whilst Lewis pulled Beaton over mid-wicket for a typically powerful maximum, then followed it up with an elegant cover drive. Narine’s second over then saw two consecutive Gayle fours, and a Lewis maximum before the latter fell caught behind to a quicker one from the Knight Riders off-spinner, for 39, with one ball left in the PowerPlay.

An issue with the stadium lights and heavy showers brought the game to a halt. Once the game restarted, adjusted to 18 overs a side, Shamarh Brooks and his captain went about regaining their lost momentum. Nurse dropped a tough caught-and-bowled chance off Gayle, and the Patriots captain punished him with successive sixes over cow corner. Frustratingly, only one over later, another rain break intervened again, further reducing the game to 13 overs.

When the game got underway again the Patriots batsmen went hard. Brooks cleared the rope off Narine, while Gayle reached his 50 with a six off Dwayne Bravo, a shot which also brought up the 50 partnership between the two. Anderson Philip bowled a chest high full toss to Brooks, Gayle hitting the resulting free hit out of the ground. Gayle lifted the Patriots to 162-3 off their 13 overs. Gayle eventually holed out to Beaton on 93, with three balls remaining and trying to hit his third consecutive maximum.

Trinbago Knight Riders set about chasing down the DLS adjusted target of 169, initially rather haphazardly. Australian Ben Hilfenhaus swung the ball prodigiously, opening the bowling to Brendon McCullum and Narine, a shaping slower ball enough to get through the defence of Narine.

Carlos Brathwaite was deposited back over his head by McCullum for six, who then top edged in an uncontrolled manner that just fell out of the reach of the chasing Hilfenhaus in the deep. Colin Munro was bowled by Samuel Badree from the first ball of the spinner’s spell, before rain intervened once more.

After another delay, McCullum and Darren Bravo returned to the field, with a new target of 86 in 6 overs. This was to be the defining moment of the match however, as Bravo immediately dispatched Badree for three successive sixes over mid-wicket. Gayle then turned to Mohammad Nabi to bowl the penultimate over, but he cost 23 runs, with Bravo able to loft him over long-on for his fourth maximum in 7 balls, and McCullum blasting two of his own. Jonathan Carter was given the difficult task of defending 10 off the final over, but Bravo returned to strike two more enormous sixes to finish the match with four balls to spare.

Both teams will be looking ahead to their next match against Jamaica Tallawahs as a chance to dig in at the top of the table, but the Knight Riders will be over the moon with their efforts against their closest challengers tonight.

Upcoming Fixtures

Friday, Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Lucia Stars, Kingston, 20:00

Saturday, Jamaica Tallawahs vs Trinbago Knight Riders, Kingston, 20:00

For images from this match visit https://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyisports?nav=pr538082992 where they can be downloaded and used for free. Credit: CPL via Getty Images.

For further information please contact:

Peter Miller 

Mobile: +447769119636

Caribbean Mobile: + 1 (758) 729 2012

Head of PR and Communications

Hero Caribbean Premier League

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF DIGICEL GROUP 

Wednesday 23rd August 2017 – Castries, St. Lucia: Digicel Ambassador and soca superstar, Machel Montano, has been confirmed to bring down the curtain on the fifth staging of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with an epic performance at the Finals. Machel will take the stage during the Digicel Postgame Live segment at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago on September 9^th.

Since inception in 2013, Digicel has been a partner of CPL which offers a beautiful mixture of cricket and party in a carnival-like atmosphere – simply put, it’s a ‘must-be-there’ event. In keeping with its commitment to putting customers in the centre of all the action, Digicel recently launched a promotion as an extension of its Quick Pick bundles offer that allows one lucky customer from the Caribbean to win a trip to the Finals for themselves and three of their friends to hang out with Machel.

The seven-time international Soca Monarch champion, producer and songwriter is looking forward to performing in front of his hometown fans, plus thousands from across the world who will travel to Trinidad and Tobago to ensure they’re a part of the final CPL action for the season.

“Of course I am looking forward to the show – the atmosphere, energy and overall ambiance is indescribable. It’s always special when I get the opportunity to perform at home. I can’t wait!” said Machel.

Digicel Director of Marketing, Peter Lloyd, said; “What better way to bring the curtain down on the biggest party in sport in Trinidad and Tobago with Machel himself? It’s been an amazing season – the energy is high, the stadiums have been packed, and the excitement around the Finals is growing to fever pitch – so we know Machel will be performing for a well-energised audience. And of course, for those who won’t be able to attend the finals, can always tune in on CPL’s dedicated channel on PlayGo.”

In 2016, Digicel and Machel forged a three-year partnership which includes delivering exclusive and unique multimedia content to customers across multiple platforms and devices – plus, giving customers the opportunity to engage with Machel.

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About Digicel Group

Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 31 markets throughout the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets, including Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programs.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.

Peter Miller

UK Mobile: +447769119636

Caribbean Mobile: + 1 (758) 729 2012