Jamaica Tallawahs batsman, Rovman Powell, says taking one shot to reach the final is their main aim heading into tomorrow’s first HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 semi-final playoff encounter against Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park, St Kitts and Nevis.
The contest, which will be one of three play-off matches, will see the victors progressing directly to Sunday’s final at the same venue.
The loser, in the meantime, will have another shot at the final, when they play the winner of play-off number two on Friday.
Playoff number two, which will be played on Thursday, will be contested between third place finishers St Lucia Zouks and fourth-place qualifiers Trinbago Knight Riders, also at the same venue. The loser of this encounter will be eliminated.
“We really want to go to St Kitts and get the final place secured,” said Powell, after seeing his team finish second to Guyana at the end of the preliminary round.
This followed back-to-back defeats to St Lucia Zouks in their final two fixtures in Miami, by 63 and 17 runs, respectively.
“The USA has not been a happy hunting ground for us over the past few days, but there are a lot of positives that we can take from the games,” he continued. “It’s now for us to get our act together, get things together and come out victorious.”
THIRD MEETING
Set for a 7 p.m. start (6 p.m. Jamaica time), the matchup will represent the third time Jamaica and Guyana are meeting this season, with each team sharing a win each.
“Guyana Amazon Warriors is a good team and it is important for us to come good,” outlined Powell.
“They have Jason Mohammed, who is batting well and Chris Lyn as their main overseas player. But we are not focusing on just two players we are focusing on all 14 or 15 of their players.”
Meanwhile, Denesh Ramdin hammered an unbeaten half-century as Trinbago Knight Riders celebrated their spot in the playoffs by defeating St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by eight wickets here in the earlier game on Sunday.
Chasing 138 at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium, TKR eased to victory with three overs to spare, with Ramdin stroking 52 not out and New Zealander Brendon McCullum, an unbeaten 43.
Earlier, Lendl Simmons emerged from a slump to top-score with an unbeaten 60 as Patriots, sent in, finished on an inadequate 137 for six off their 20 overs.
Left-handers Johnathan Carter and Kieran Powell both made 23, while TKR captain and medium pacer Dwayne Bravo bowled brilliantly to claim four for 13 from his four overs.
Playoff Fixtures:
Game 1 – 3rd August: Jamaica Tallawahs v Guyana Amazon Warriors (winner advances to final)
Game 2 – 4th August: St Lucia Zouks v Trinbago Knight Riders (loser eliminated)
Game 3 – 5th August: Loser Game 1 v Winner Game 2 (loser eliminated)
