The fans from Monkey Hill in St Kitts thronged Warner Park to support their team the Patriots but it was the fans of Monkey Town in Barrackpore, who were celebrating as the T&T Red Steel rebounded in emphatic fashion to claim its second win of the Hero CPL tournament in St Kitts, yesterday.
After an inspired bowling performance from skipper Dwayne Bravo, restricted the St Kitts Patriots to 146 all out, the batsmen led by William Perkins 64 not out, Cameron Delport 38 and Jacques Kallis 23 came out to hammer the bowling and gave the Red Steel their fifth point in the campaign from five matches. They now head home to play their four home matches, starting on Tuesday against the St Lucia Zouks.
Kallis started the run chase beautifully with some exhilarating straight drives. Whilst the South African maestro was doing his thing, the large crowd at the Park was silent. He thumped 23 before giving his hand away but Delport and Perkins combined to take the score to 100 and in the process took the game away from the Patriots.
Delport, a no-nonsense batsman, was aggressive to anything pitched up and scored 38 off 31 balls with three fours and two sixes. The right-handed Perkins was on fire and struck some of the biggest sixes seen at this ground. He was sending balls unto the football field adjoining and unto Losack Road.
When the victory was formalised with seven balls to spare and four wickets down, Perkins was unbeaten on 64 off 43 balls with three fours and five sixes.
Earlier, Red Steel came to the Park under pressure, as young batsman Mark Deyal could not get back to St Kitts in time for the game due to difficulties exiting Jamaica and medium pacer Kevon Cooper was reported for a suspect bowling action and was not used as a precaution.
Although Bravo said at the toss that he was “called”, third umpire Peter Nero confirmed that he was “reported” and not called and could have played if the Red Steel wanted him to.