Captain of the Jamaica Tallawahs, Chris Gayle, says after losing semi-final playoff one to Guyana Amazon Warriors on Wednesday, and subsequently failing to qualify early for the final, his team’s attention has now shifted to winning semi-final playoff three today at Warner Park, St Kitts and Nevis.
The Tallawahs, who went down to Guyana at the same venue by four wickets, are slated to play the winners of last night’s semi-final playoff two between the Dwayne Bravo-led Trinbago Knight Riders and Darren Sammy-captained St Lucia Zouks.
”The important thing is that there is a second bite of the cherry,” stated Gayle whose unit will get a second shot of reaching the final after finishing second in the preliminary round behind Guyana.
”We don’t know who we are going to play as yet, we just have to wait and see, then work on a game plan,” he added.
Jamaica who were coming off a two-match losing streak in Florida at the end of the preliminaries, were defeated by a disciplined Guyana, who bowled well to restrict them to 146 for six off their maximum overs.
Gayle topscored for the Tallawahs with a near run-a-ball 33, and was supported by Rovman Powell with 23 off 20 deliveries, and Kumar Sangakkara, who added 20 off 20 balls.
Fast bowlers Sohail Tanvir, and captain, Rayad Emrit, three for 24, and three for 30, respectively, led the way for the Warriors.
However, having to contend with dropped catches, rain, and at times lose bowling, the Tallawahs was unable to restrict the Warriors, who went on to score 150 for six with two balls remaining.
The in-form Chris Lynn of Australia with 49 and Pakistani Tanvir, 21 not out, made most runs against seamer Keswick Williams, who snared career-best figures of four for 37.
”I am very disappointed that we lost, but at the same time a team has got to win and Guyana were on the winning side,” highlighted Gayle.
”I thought we made about 20 runs short, despite it being a slow wicket, and after the new ball it was very difficult to score on.”