Narine hits 79 to lead TKR past Tridents

However, on this occasion Narine’s role as an opening batsman did the damage.

Narine struck 79 off 45 deliveries with six fours and five sixes, as the Knight Riders got to 155 for eight in 19.1 overs to earn their fourth win of the tournament and remain on top of the standings. Earlier, the Tridents posted 152/9 in 20 overs.

Narine has been successful in his new role as an opener in T20 cricket. In the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) Narine scored the joint fastest 50 in IPL history off 15 balls. Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan also struck a half century off 15 balls.

Narine’s innings at the Oval on Saturday was equally aggressive, as he led TKR from the front with an impressive display of stroke making.

After losing the Kiwi pair of Brendon McCullum and Colin Munro for four and five respectively, Narine and Darren Bravo restored the innings with a 47-run third wicket partnership. Bravo settled quickly flicking a delivery for four off fast bowler Shamar Springer, before Narine pulled one for six.

It was Narine’s night as the lefthander was dropped numerous times. After Narine was dropped off Wahab Riaz at deep square leg, Bravo failed to handle a bouncer from Riaz and was caught by wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran for 25.

Kieron Pollard silenced the crowd when Denesh Ramdin was caught at long on by Shaoib Malik for just one to leave TKR in a spot of bother on 76/4 in the 11th over.

TKR captain Dwayne Bravo joined Narine and played a solid knock as the pair avoided any further collapse.

After hitting Malik for a six over long on, Narine brought up his 50 with a single which was appreciated by the lively crowd.

Pollard conceded 17 runs in the 13th over with Bravo hitting a four and Narine lashing one four and one six both on the leg side.

The Tridents did not help their cause with some poor fielding.

Christopher Barnwell was one of the guilty parties dropping both Narine and Bravo in back-to-back overs.

With victory in sight at 139/4 in the 17th over, TKR lost their way losing four wickets for 12 runs to leave the score on 151/8 after 19 overs. Dwayne Bravo (18), Shadab Khan (duck), Javon Searles (nine) and Narine (79) all fell in quick succession.

Kevon Cooper avoided any further drama with a four through point to bring home the victory with five balls to spare. Wayne Parnell finished with figures of 4-0-26- 2, while Shamar Springer was the top bowler for the Tridents ending with 4-0-32-3.

Earlier, the Tridents were off to a flying start with Dwayne Smith belting a six and a four in the first over. However, left-arm spinner Khary Pierre got his revenge as Darren held on to a catch at deep mid-wicket to dismiss Smith for 10 to leave the score on 12/1 after one over. It was soon 19/2 when Mc- Cullum took a good catch at short cover off Ronsford Beaton.

A solid, but watchful partnership between Malik and Kane Williamson guided Tridents to 86/2 after 11 overs. Khan continued his brilliant tournament as he dismissed Williamson for 30 when he was caught by Narine.

Surprisingly, the scoring slowed tremendously when Pollard came to the middle as the Tridents captain struggled to get on top of the TKR bowlers. When Beaton dismissed Malik for 51 off 38 balls (five fours) Tridents were 105/4 off 16 overs and in need of some runs.

Pooran gave the innings some impetus scoring 18 off six balls, while Akeal Hosein cracked 12 from three deliveries.

However, Pollard never got going as he was dismissed off the final ball of the innings for 14 off 22 balls by Dwayne Bravo.

Beaton had his best match of the tournament ending with figures of 4-0-24-2, while Dwayne Bravo finished with 2-0-27-2.

Tonight, Knight Riders will play St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Queen’s Park Oval from eight o’clock.