Jamaica Tallawahs move to the top of the table with facile win

Jamaica's 153-run chase at Kensington Oval in Barbados did not get off to the best of starts. Mohammad Irfan, who bowled the most economical four-over spell in the history of T20 cricket last week, got an early breakthrough by dismissing Glenn Phillips for just six runs. But Kennar Lewis, who scored just eight runs in 20 balls, played his part by adding 56 runs with Charles for the second wicket.

Rovman Powell then scored an unbeaten 35 after Wahab Riaz dismissed Charles, ensuring his team scaled the target with lots to spare. He was supported well by David Miller (14), Andre Russell (10) and Colin de Grandhomme (15*), who played important cameos.

"The way the wicket was playing, bowling first gave us an idea of how the pitch was behaving. When the ball was wet, it was sliding on. You can't get settled on a wicket like this, and Charles was amazing. He knew once the ball gets wet, it would get easier to bat," said Jamaica skipper Russell after the game.

Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to field, Jamaica put up a disciplined bowling display to restrict Tridents to 153/9.

Martin Guptill kept the innings together with his 63-ball 73 even as wickets tumbled around him in the first half of the innings. Barbados couldn't build substantial partnerships through most of their innings, as Hashim Amla, Shai Hope, Steve Smith, Jason Holder and Nicholas Pooran returned to the pavilion with single-digit scores. Imran Khan, who walked in at five-down, scored 20 and stitched a crucial 60-run-stand with Guptill for the sixth wicket, their best period with the bat.

The partnership between the two laid the foundation for the finishing impetus from Ashley Nurse, who smashed two fours and one six to add 16 runs in the 20th over and pushed the total over 150. The Jamaica bowlers worked well in Tandem, with Oshane Thomas picking up two wickets and Samuel Badree, Kemar Roach, de Grandhomme, Russell, Adam Zampa and Powell picking up one each.

"Our boys have fought hard for us. It was a tough wicket to bat on, but we were still 20-25 runs short. He showed exceptional character, did Guptill, and it was a top knock. I think the squad just needs to click, perhaps put a bit more time up front so that we can explode at the latter half of the innings," said Jason Holder, whose team now stands second from bottom on the points table, with just two wins in six games.

"I'd ask the crowd to stay behind us, and we will be back on Friday night to put another good effort. Some good cricket has been played all around."