Guptill century takes TKR to crushing win over Royals

A magnificent century from Martin Guptill propelled Trinbago Knight Riders to a 133-run victory over Barbados Royals in the CPL at Kensington Oval, Barbados. It was the largest margin of victory in the 11 year history of the CPL.

Guptill definitely showed why he is a legendary New Zealand batsman. While he started his innings slowly he gradually grew in confidence to steer TKR to a massive 194/5 in 20 overs batting first. He struck one four and nine sixes in his innings, reaching his century with three deliveries remaining. Guptill ended on 100 not out off 58 balls. He received support from captain Kieron Pollard as they added 108 runs for the third wicket. Guptill struck 46 off 32 balls, hitting one four and four sixes.

Starting with only five without loss after two overs, they gradually picked up the scoring rate. Deyal struck a six over mid-wicket and in the next over Guptill swept off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall for six to get his first boundary of the innings.

Left-arm fast bowler Obed MC Cot conceded 12 runs in his first over, including a six by Deyal as TKR got to 37/0 after 5 overs.

Former West Indies Captain, Jason Holder. Associated Press / Ricardo Mazalan, file

Jason Holder got a break-through with the score on 41 as Deyal(27) could not keep out a Yorker. Guptill picked up a couple of boundaries.

Nicholas Pooran struck a four off Holder, but could not produce fireworks on this occasion as he mistimed a pull shot and was caught and bowled by leg spinner Qais Ahmad for only six.

Guptill and Pollard’s partnership did not get off to a flying start as spinners Ahmad and Roelef Van Der Merwe kept the pair quiet. Twenty runs then came off the next two overs with both Guptill and Pollard clearing the boundary as TKR reached 108/2 after 14 overs.

In the 15th overs the runs started to flow, Guptill made his fifty off 40 balls. Ahmad conceded 22 runs from the over with Guptill smacking two sixes and Pollard with a six also.

Pollard, who only scored 14 off his first 20 balls, started finding the fence often as the Royals bowlers were struck all over Kensington Oval.

Pollard was caught by Holder on the off side after mistiming a full toss from Van Der Merwe. Guptill was eyeing his century now and after hitting Holder for a straight six reached the milestone with a single in the 20 over.

The Royals had a rare moment to celebrate when Alick Athanaze took a brilliant catch on the mid-wicket boundary to dismiss Andre Russell for five. Dwayne Bravo was run out off the final delivery, as Guptill unbeaten in what was his first CPL hundred. Holder ended with 2/39 in four overs.

In return, it was a disastrous start for the Royals as Russell grabbed two wickets in the first over as Rahkeem Cornwall and Kyle Mayers both fell for first-ball ducks.

Wickets continued to tumble as Alick Athanaze (2), Laurie Evans (5) and captain Rovman Powell (10) all fell cheaply as the Royals were reduced to 30/5 after 6.1 overs.

Royals never recovered and wickets continued to fall as Holder was well-caught by Bravo at first slip to give left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein the wicket.

TKR bowlers were merciless as Royals were bundled out for 61 in 12.1 overs as the TT franchise completed the massive victory. Salamkheil took 4/14 in 3.1 overs, Russell took 3/13 in 2 overs and Hosein 2/16 in 4 overs.