Carlos Brathwaite-remember the name!
This time, don’t even dare say it with a hint of sarcasm.
On the evening of Tuesday 17th September, SKN Patriots captain, Carlos Brathwaite, was the ultimate hero, as he slammed a superlative half-century and later came back to bowl a critical super over, apparently against the wishes of his management team—and what an over it was!
It was the final night of CPL action at the Warner Park leg of the season and the crowd was out in its numbers. It was the SKN Patriots versus the hitherto unbeaten, Trinbago Knight Riders.
Not only had the St.Kitts-Nevis Patriots fans shown up in droves, but the Trini Posse, would not be easily outdone.
As a matter of fact, during the pre-match fans’ jibe, one Trinidadian supporter was heard to tell a Patriots’ fan, ‘My condolences!’ Well, it seemed like the Patriots would need a lot of condolences, as former Patriots’ star, Lendl Simmons, peppered the bowling to all parts of the grounds and even the diehard Patriots fans had to admit that it was super batting, if not super bowling. The Trinbago Knight Riders, raced to 122 for 1 at half time-10 overs and the Patriots were staring at a mountainous task.
However, after Simmons fell for 90, the scoring rate dropped rapidly, as not even Pollard really got cranked up and Alzarri Joseph bowled quickly and well, at the back end of the innings, along with Skipper Brathwaite. However, the eventual 216 would be a real challenge and everybody knew it.
With Devon Thomas going early, the water was looking mighty dark for the home team. However, Evin Lewis went into overdrive and he also peppered the bowling to all parts of the Park, much to the delight of the home fans. After he went, the local fans literally held their breaths, but Skipper Brathwaite came to the party. An early six punctuated his intentions and he batted like a real champion. He was helped by Shamarh Brookes and Rayad Emrit.
It came down to 25 needed off the last two overs. Then 19 required from 6 balls.
It was not a night for the weak hearted. Even the Trinbago team wilted under pressure, as they gave away some crucial runs. Then 5 needed from the last ball, faced by Rayad Emrit.
A six would do it for the Patriots. A big swing. He got the top edge and it sailed over the short third man fielder and away for four.
The match was tied! Unbelievable! Super over required.
Patriots won the toss and elected to bat first, utilizing Brathwaite and Lewis.
Brathwaite promptly struck the first ball from Khan into the far side screen for a maximum. A couple of singles between himself and Lewis and then the tension that was cutting like a knife, spilled over to the field. It appeared as if the bowler Khan, deliberately got in the way, to block Lewis from attempting a second run and Lewis promptly chucked him and it took the serious efforts of the umpires and the other players to keep the two apart, as they both seemed willing to change the game to a boxing match and may well be both substantially fined for their efforts.
The Patriots got to 18 from the 6 balls.
The Trinbago Knight Riders, strangely did not open with Simmons and instead sent out Pollard and Daren Bravo.
Brathwaite bowled the critical over, because he stated later that his teammates told him to do so, because ‘tonight is your night.’ Bravo missed the first ball and was caught behind off the second. Out came Simmons and he got a single from the third. Pollard in strike. Big swing –can’t score-dot ball. Next ball, big heave-one bounce four.
The man of the hour, Carlos Brathwaite, turns to the crowd and asks for a response. To a man, the Patriots fans responded with shouts and screams and the waving of flags. If he had asked them to turn a few somersaults, they would have! Last ball. Pollard smashes powerfully down the ground, Brathwaite stops it and throws the ball miles into the air, in jubilation.
The mighty had been conquered!
Summarized scores: Trinbago Knight Riders 216 for 4
(Simmons 90, Brathwaite 2-48)
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 216 for 7
(Brathwaite 64, Lewis 45, Phillip 3-38)
Super over: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots 18 for no loss (Brathwaite 17*) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 5 for 1 (Brathwaite 1-5) by 13 runs.