New Zealand's growth as a source of T20 players for the global leagues was highlighted in a stunning elimination game in the Caribbean Premier League yesterday.
The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, with man of the match Anton Devcich, chased down the Jamaica Tallawahs' 191 for five to put up the highest score made on the Providence ground in Guyana.
Jamaica included Auckland wicketkeeper-batsman Glenn Phillips, who crunched his second T20 century, a rollicking 103 off 63 balls, senior batsman Ross Taylor, who hit a quick 33, legspinner Ish Sodhi, who peeled off three for 36 in his four overs — including the wicket of veteran dangerman Chris Gayle — and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme, whose contribution was minimal.
The Patriots had Devcich, with his 50 off 23 balls, which pulled them back into the contest from a seemingly hopeless position.
Allrounder Rovman Powell then had a complete meltdown, serving up four wides and two sixes in the final over, with 15 needed. Australian Ben Cutting swung the penultimate ball into the crowd to advance his team to the final eliminator against the Trinbago Knight Riders tomorrow in Port-of-Spain.
